Basic Needs Satisfaction as a Fundamental Distributive Principle: Evidence from the Lab and the Field

Thomas Dohmen (), Frauke Meyer () and Gari Walkowitz ()
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Thomas Dohmen: University of Bonn
Frauke Meyer: Eilert-Academy, Berlin, Germany
Gari Walkowitz: Department of Business and Economics, Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg; Department of Management, Technical University of Munich

No 18409, IZA Discussion Papers from IZA Network @ LISER

Abstract: This paper provides clear evidence that concerns for basic needs satisfaction (BNS) represent a distinct distributional motive. Using a unified theoretical and experimental framework across five dictator-game experiments in Germany and Georgia (N=446), we disentangle BNS from motives such as maximin, selfishness, efficiency, generosity, and envy. A substantial share of participants displayed BNS-driven choices and were willing to forgo income and efficiency to satisfy others’ basic needs. BNS remained robust across contexts, incentive schemes, and countries, and increased when needs satisfaction had strategic relevance. The results highlight the importance of BNS for understanding distributional preferences and policy design.

Keywords: basic needs; redistribution; distributional motives; maximin; public policy; field experiment; laboratory experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C91 C93 D01 D31 D63 D91 H23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-03
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