Our happiness is boosted by peace and democracy
By Bob Condor
John Lennon would like it. Give peace a chance and you might just be happier than most of the world. That is the message of new survey directed by Ronald Inglehart, a political scientist at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research.
The World Values Survey, conducted regularly by a global network of political scientists and involving 350,000 respondents, named Denmark at the happiest country. Inglehart said the European nation’s happiness derives from democracy, social equity and a “peaceful atmosphere.”
Something tells me the television news is less dreary in Denmark, too.
Not surprisingly, Zimbabwe, the African nation ripped apart by political and social struggles punctuated by violence, graded out as the least happy country. Other countries deemed particularly unhappy include Albania, Ukraine and Georgia.
If you are wondering, the U.S. finished 16th happiest despite being the weathliest.
On the plus side, Inglehart reports that happiness by country and the world overall has increased in 45 of 52 nations in the last three decades.Other countries ranking in the top 10 of happiness: Puerto Rico, Colombia, Northern Ireland, Iceland, Switzerland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada and Sweden.
There might be some surprises in there, but Inglehart said peace a
nd democracy are important pillars of a society’s happiness. He also put in a positive word about the U.S.
“Though by no means the happiest country in the world, from a global perspective the United States looks pretty good,” Inglehart said in an interview with Reuters. “The country is not only prosperous; it ranks relatively high in gender equality, tolerance of ethnic and social diversity and has high levels of political freedom.”
Happiness research has, well, happily increased itself in the last decade. The “positive psychology” movement, with University of Pennsylvania researcher Martin Seligman widely credited as a founder (don't forget David Myers at the aptly named Hope College in Michigan), focuses on the upbeat potential of human nature rather than looking at depression or abnormalities. No doubt happiness is a highly personal matter, but it only helps our chances of making the world a better place if there are scholars in the area. Look for a future DHB series on happiness and positive psychology research.
“Bob Condor is the Daily Health Blogger for Barton Publishing . He is also the Living Well columnist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer . He covers natural health and quality of life issues and writes regularly for national magazines, including Life, Esquire, Parade, Self, and Outside. He is a former syndicated health columnist for the Chicago Tribune and author of six books, including “The Good Mood Diet” and “Your Prostate Cancer Survivors' Guide.” He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two 11-year-old kids.
Comments
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I think the fact that the US came 16th is a bit worrying. I wrote about this study on my own blog and while researching it I think it became clear that while the US is doing good in certain areas, it is seriously lacking in others. Universal health care, for instance, is definitely a conspicuous failure which is holding the US back.
I think with the title of wealthiest country in the world, there comes a certain amount of responsibility to be a leader and an innovator in public policy. The US is certainly competitive with regards to happiness inducing policy, but it is clearly being beaten handily by a number of countries, and for very obvious, fixable reasons.
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THAT IS THE MOST MEANINGLESS THING I HAVE EVER SEEN. YOU CAN GET 10 DIFFERENT GROUPS TO MAKE SUCH A SURVEY AND THEY WOULD ALL COME UP WITH SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
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A very interesting report. Actually the report brought focus to happiness and yes, different group surveys would probaly get different results, but who cares! It was nice to know about other countries and their ‘happiness’. To me it is not a matter of how much you have ‘out there’ but what you ‘have’ within!
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PEACE AND HAPPINESS -PEACE MEANS WHOLENESS,HEALTH,WELFARE,SAFETY,SOUNDNESS,TRANQUILITY, PROSPERITY,REST AND HARMONY,THE ABSENCE OF AGITATION OR DISCORD. ONLY THE CHANGING OF MEN AND WOMENS HEARTS CAN PROVIDE SUCH AN ENVIROMENT ,HOW DO WE DO THIS, IT CANT BE OBTAINED INTERNALLY,ONLY EXTERNALLY.
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I beg to disagree – more than 10 globally-respected international expert groups have “made such surveys” and have all come up with the same or similar – not different – results.
The US is consistently well-down the international league table for many factors relating to quality of life.
As Stu quite rightly says, healthcare is a major component in these findings – but equally problematic are (1) rapidly accelerating wealth inequality (worsening fast with the mortgage stress which is starting to play out across the country), (2) citizen stress levels, (3) gun-related crime, accidental death and suicide levels, (4) very high prisoner population, (5) capital punishment, (6) pollution, (7) educational outcomes as measured by poor student performance in international standardised tests – and so on.
The Danes have more than just “something in the Denmark water” – as they themselves point out, through their own efforts, their constitution and the society they have built, they have peace, democracy and most importantly in explaining why they rate so highly – social equity.
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Yes I agree. My belief is when we live and give of ourselves (time especially) in order to help other people we ourselves benefit most. Before I even leave my bed each morning I ask God to bless every thought word and deed of mine for the day in order that I may be a blessing to anyone I meet in my day be it at work or home. I thank God for that inner peace that he has given me that no money or therapy could ever buy.
Bob, I heard a classical scholar on BBC last night.
To say “are you happy?” is said well, in English. In Greek, the idea is that a life is happy.
That definition fits with the models of happiness as being responsive to life. All life. As a Zimbabwean I can be happy because I deeply understand the issues, know when I will agree to disagree with my compatriots who feel differently from me, work with people who agree with me, and compete actively for the world view we prefer.
Unhappiness would be hanging about not knowing what we think, not doing anything about it, not joining with people who think like oneself to act collectively.
If you can be bothered with wordpress layout, you will find accounts on my blog of positive action in Zimbabwe.
Positive psychology can help Zimbabweans, Americans and Danes who “feel out of it”. Positive psychologists don’t stress collective efficacy much but common goals are critical to well being. To look back on life and say “I was part of that”.
Of course, I would prefer my life not to be totally subsumed by politics and will work widely so that does not happen to anyone, anywhere! But live I will!
If you would like a good Zimbabwean contemporary poet, http://comradefatso.vox.com.
A good weekend to you,
Jo