ABSTRACT
International human rights documents, most notably the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, establish in international law the right to a level of well-being sufficient for subsistence. In terms of basic human needs or physical quality of life, many would agree that these include unpolluted air and water, sufficient food, clothing and shelter and minimal public healthcare. Integrity of the person rights or security rights include execution, torture, forced disappearance and imprisonment/detention of persons, either arbitrarily or for their political and/or religious beliefs. Supporting the conclusion that democracy and political rights affect basic human needs performance are the findings of several scholars that democracies are better equipped to provide for basic human needs. The category includes a few ‘mixed regimes’ in which a civilian acts as main executive surrounded by military personnel in the cabinet or a military leader who selects a civilian to head the government but retains ultimate power from the background.
