The Social Recognition of Needs

The satisfaction of needs depends on the willingness of others to forgo own payoffs to the benefit of the claimant. Given the heterogeneity and subjectivity of individual needs, it is difficult to assess whether a need claim is based on a true lack of resources or whether the claimant misrepresents the need. Hence, the recognition of a need claim by others depends on some mechanism of social objectivation. Under what conditions are distributive claims recognized as legitimate needs by a social group instead of being dismissed as subjective desires? The chapter addresses three conditions of the social recognition of needs. First, inequality aversion theory suggests that needs are likely to be satisfied as long as the transfer does not produce a rank reversal between the donor and the recipient. Second, information is crucial. If donors can verify the veracity of a need claim, the willingness to satisfy a claim rises. Third, need is particularly salient as a principle of justice in solidary groups. Hence, the satisfaction of needs depends on social proximity.