Understanding the Civil War in Yemen through Human Needs Theory

Bibliographic Data

ID2169296
AuthorsChristina Lubczynski (University of Central Florida), Jonathan Matusitz (0000-0001-8078-3663, University of Central Florida)
Year2024
Volume34
Issue7
Pages1010-1021
Publication date2024-10-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1091-1359 • E-ISSN: 1540-3556
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10911359.2023.2213273
OpenAlexW4376867997
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited23

This paper examines the current Civil War in Yemen based on Human Needs Theory. Developed by John Burton, Human Needs Theory rests on the premise that certain groups of people resort to violence when their basic needs are not met or when they need understanding, respect, and consideration for their needs. Needs for security and identity recognition are particularly salient in civil wars and devastating identity conflicts. An important conclusion is that many of the human needs violations that the Shia minority group has suffered in Yemen stem from the long-established Sunni-Shia conflict that has fueled this civil war. This has caused Saudi Arabia (i.e., Sunni) and Iran (i.e., Shia) to support both sides of the conflict. As a result, a significant number of Yemenis have had difficulties living out their religious identity and achieve well-being. In particular, not only have their basic human rights been denied (i.e., essential needs to maintain survival) but, also, basic aid to children has been rejected as well

Basic needs · Criminology · Epistemology · Fundamental human needs · Human rights · Identity (music · Maslow's hierarchy of needs · Need theory · Political science · Poverty · Premise · Salient · Sociology · Spanish Civil War · Global Peace and Security Dynamics · Health and Conflict Studies · Middle East and Rwanda Conflicts · Psychology · Law · Social Psychology