5 TO WHAT EXTENT DO PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY WANT?

Measuring to what extent people satisfy their separate wants is pointless if
wants are so elusive. The best way of measuring to what extent people get
what they want is to ask people how content they are.

History gives the impression that each type of economy sometimes created
fairly contented populations ... and yet, at least by the time the next type
of economy appeared, they were sufficiently dissatisfied with their old type
of leaders to give a new type a try. The historic sequence of types of
economy suggests therefore, that each type of economy breeds the very type
of want it cannot satisfy.
In a primary economy an increasing number of people want to be free from the
limitations (supposedly) deriving from the characteristics they are
(supposedly) born with.
In a secondary economy an increasing number of people want to be free from
coercion.
In a tertiary economy people increasingly want independence.
And in a quaternary economy more and more people want to be free from being
brainwashed into wanting what other people want them to want...

History also gives the impression of a gradual growth in average complexity
of identity of people and thus in range and diversity of wants. Leaders are
forerunners in this growth. Leaders need more complex identities than
followers: On top of being able to identify with their (potential) followers
they have at least as extra want either a better world or a better deal for
themselves.

A good impression of the range and possible development in human wants is
given by the 'hierarchy of needs' theory of Maslow as presented in 1943
(http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Maslow/motivation.htm) and refined in his
later work (according to
www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/leadhb.html):
1. Physiological - food, water, shelter, sex.
2. Safety - feel free from immediate danger.
3. Belongingness and love - belong to a group, close friends to confine
with.
4. Esteem - feeling of moving up in world, recognition, few doubts about
self.
5. Cognitive - learning for learning alone, contribute knowledge.
6. Aesthetic - at peace, more curious about inner workings of all.
7. Self-actualization - know exactly who you are, where you are going, and
what you want to accomplish. A state of well-being.
8. Self-transcendence - a transegoic level that emphasizes visionary
intuition, altruism, and unity consciousness.

As said before: Most of the behaviour that gets people what they want (or
not) is involuntary. Their identity, their set of (conscious) wants, guides
only a relatively small part of their behaviour. If asked whether they are
content with what they get, people have to invent on the spot most of the
wants they need to compare it with in order to conclude on their relative
satisfaction. This lack of conscious motivation behind most human behaviour
is the main leverage available to leaders to lead their followers. Provided
you do not tell your followers to want things that require too much
deviation from their normal involuntary behaviour, giving them meaningful
wants induces them to do as you tell them in order to get those wants.