Governments and Happiness

Jan Ott ()
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Jan Ott: Erasmus University

Chapter Chapter 7 in Beyond Economics, 2020, pp 93-105 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Average evaluative happiness in nations can be explained quite well with a limited number of factors, related to objective realities. The quality of governments is the most crucial factor. This quality is important in direct contacts between government agencies and citizens: citizens want to be treated respectfully, carefully and without discrimination. It is also important in an indirect way, because good governments can create living conditions that facilitate the pursuit of happiness. Important conditions are healthcare and rule of law, to protect individual freedom, private property and equality before the law. Such conditions are directly related to the fundamental need for safety and security. But good governments can also promote education, monetary stability and international trade relations. In a nutshell we may say that good governments protect the effectiveness of free markets and create stability and predictability, so that people can make their own plans and pursue their own happiness. There is no need for big governments because their quality is more important than their size. It is understandable that people underestimate the importance of governments for their happiness. They are more interested in individual differences in their own environment, and are usually unaware of the differences in average happiness in different nations. People are also critical about governments. They usually dislike relations based on hierarchy and prefer relations based on equality and consensus. They are also afraid that governments will create dependency and apathy. The relation between citizens and governments is a sensitive issue but can be managed.

Date: 2020
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-030-56600-5_7

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-56600-5_7

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