Max-Neef, a Chilean economist, proposed a model of five types of satisfiers.
- Max-Neef, a Chilean economist, proposed a model of five types of satisfiers.
- Violators/Destroyers
- They promise to satisfy one need but actually prevent its satisfaction while damaging others.
- For example, drinking seawater.
- Pseudo-satisfiers
- Create false satisfaction; temporary relief that doesn't truly meet the need.
- For example, status symbols for identity.
- Inhibiting satisfiers
- Meet one need but prevent others.
- For example, overprotective parenting provides protection but blocks freedom/participation.
- Singular satisfiers
- Address only one need without affecting others
- For example, food programs for subsistence alone.
- Synergistic satisfiers
- Meet multiple needs simultaneously while reinforcing each other
- For example community gardens provide subsistence, participation, creation, identity, and understanding.
- Synergistic satisfiers produce compounding value in indirect and illegible ways.
- Beancounting will never identify synergistic satisfiers, and yet society having a rich, flourishing requires them.