Essay: Need Fuels Greed, and Greed Corrupts Humanity | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

“There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed.”
—Mahatma Gandhi

Human history is deeply intertwined with need and greed, forces that have shaped civilizations, economies, and relationships. Need drives individuals and communities to secure essentials for survival and well-being, while greed, when unchecked, wreaks havoc on individuals, societies, and the environment, distorting the pursuit of legitimate needs into destructive excess.

Need, at its core, encompasses essentials like food, water, shelter, and security. As societies evolved, needs expanded to include emotional, social, and psychological aspects like love, belonging, and self-actualization, motivating actions for survival and progress. Societally, needs spurred agriculture to address hunger, community formation for safety, and social norms for cooperation, driving innovation and development.

Yet, unmet needs can foster desperation, leading to conflict, crime, and unrest, creating fertile ground for greed. When basic requirements go unfulfilled, individuals or groups may resort to extreme measures, prioritizing self-preservation over collective well-being, setting the stage for excessive desires.

Greed is an excessive desire for wealth, power, or status beyond what is necessary. Driven by fear, insecurity, or a craving for recognition, greed distorts legitimate needs into a pursuit of excess. Historically, empires expanded through conquest and colonization, driven by greed for resources and power, while corporations grew into monopolies, chasing profit at the expense of ethics.

On an individual level, fear-based greed often stems from experiences like poverty, leading to hoarding even when needs are met. This can manifest as exploitation, deceit, or corruption, harming others and eroding trust, as individuals prioritize personal gain over communal harmony.

Unchecked greed erodes social trust and cohesion, fostering competition and conflict. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984, caused by cost-cutting and negligence by Union Carbide, killed thousands and left lasting health impacts. Recently, greedflation—companies inflating prices post-pandemic—has deepened economic inequality, straining consumers and highlighting greed’s societal toll.

The environmental impact of greed is devastating. Overexploitation of resources, deforestation, pollution, and climate change threaten biodiversity and human survival. The Wayanad landslide, worsened by deforestation and unregulated construction, caused significant loss of life and property, underscoring the consequences of prioritizing short-term gains over sustainability.

Globalization has intensified these issues, concentrating wealth and power in multinational corporations. These entities influence policies to favor profit, exacerbating inequality and environmental harm. The consumerist culture it fosters equates material wealth with success, fueling greed and disconnecting individuals from compassion and sustainability.

In India, wealth concentration has surged since the 1990s liberalization. Oxfam’s 2020 report notes the top 1% hold over 40% of national wealth, while the bottom 50% own just 2.8%. Billionaire families and conglomerates dominate markets, shaping policies and limiting social mobility, deepening disparities and undermining fairness.

Psychologically, greed breeds stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction, as the pursuit of wealth rarely brings lasting fulfillment. This cycle can lead to depression, addiction, or a loss of purpose, trapping individuals in relentless desire.

Ethically, greed is condemned across traditions. Buddhism views greed as a poison causing suffering, Christianity lists it among the seven deadly sins, the Bhagavad Gita calls it a destroyer of righteousness, and Islam warns against excessive desire, emphasizing charity. These perspectives highlight greed’s threat to dignity and harmony.

The interplay of need and greed has shaped human history, driving progress through need but causing degradation through greed. Inequality, environmental destruction, and social erosion underscore the need for balance. Embracing ethical principles, compassion, and sustainability can foster a just world, ensuring needs are met without spiraling into destructive greed.

“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”
—Socrates