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The happiest countries are liberal countries

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  • The happiest countries are liberal countries

    I see the UN World Happiness Report 2021 has just been released. It is based on survey data from around the world, asking people to rank how satisfied they are with their lives on a 0-10 scale, and averaging those results per country.

    This study has been conducted for a number of years now, and the results typically don't change much year-on-year. Finland has been the happiest country in the world 4 years running.

    The top-10 happiest nations in the 2021 report are:

    1. Finland (7.842)
    2. Denmark (7.620)
    3. Switzerland (7.571)
    4. Iceland (7.554)
    5. Netherlands (7.464)
    6. Norway (7.392)
    7. Sweden (7.363)
    8. Luxembourg (7.324)
    9. New Zealand (7.277)
    10. Austria (7.268)

    It's interesting to me what type of countries are on that list. They're all developed countries, all Western countries, and all liberal / left-wing countries.

    Among Western nations, this isn't a list of the richest countries - although some of them are extremely wealthy, many of them are more towards the middle of the OECD in terms of wealth.

    What it is, however, is a list of countries famous for their left-wing and liberal policies.

    All 5 of the Scandinavian countries, so beloved of Bernie Sanders, for their cradle-to-grave welfare policies and their strong trade unions, are in the top 10 happiest countries. As are a bunch of other countries known for being liberal and left-wing.

    If we compare that list to the 2020 Social Progress Index, which essentially measures how liberal/left a country is, we find that all 10 of those 'happiest nations' listed above score within the top-15 countries in the world on the Social Progress Index.

    Although Finland also drinks the most coffee per person in the world, so perhaps that has something to do with it...

    But what the list of happiest countries isn't is a list of conservative countries. Nor are they religious countries - the countries in this list are among the highest in the world for their rates of atheism and religious non-adherence.
    "I hate him passionately", he's "a demonic force" - Tucker Carlson, in private, on Donald Trump
    "Every line of serious work that I have written since 1936 has been written, directly or indirectly, against totalitarianism and for democratic socialism" - George Orwell
    "[Capitalism] as it exists today is, in my opinion, the real source of evils. I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy" - Albert Einstein

  • #2
    Do you have something similar about the freedom of press in such countries? It's interesting as my own is listed quite low on that scale due to the abundance of Murdoc owned papers and the like which scew the political discussions way to the right with the usual culture wars and race baiting talking points and misinformation.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Starlight View Post
      I see the UN World Happiness Report 2021 has just been released. It is based on survey data from around the world, asking people to rank how satisfied they are with their lives on a 0-10 scale, and averaging those results per country.

      This study has been conducted for a number of years now, and the results typically don't change much year-on-year. Finland has been the happiest country in the world 4 years running.

      The top-10 happiest nations in the 2021 report are:

      1. Finland (7.842)
      2. Denmark (7.620)
      3. Switzerland (7.571)
      4. Iceland (7.554)
      5. Netherlands (7.464)
      6. Norway (7.392)
      7. Sweden (7.363)
      8. Luxembourg (7.324)
      9. New Zealand (7.277)
      10. Austria (7.268)

      It's interesting to me what type of countries are on that list. They're all developed countries, all Western countries, and all liberal / left-wing countries.

      Among Western nations, this isn't a list of the richest countries - although some of them are extremely wealthy, many of them are more towards the middle of the OECD in terms of wealth.

      What it is, however, is a list of countries famous for their left-wing and liberal policies.

      All 5 of the Scandinavian countries, so beloved of Bernie Sanders, for their cradle-to-grave welfare policies and their strong trade unions, are in the top 10 happiest countries. As are a bunch of other countries known for being liberal and left-wing.

      If we compare that list to the 2020 Social Progress Index, which essentially measures how liberal/left a country is, we find that all 10 of those 'happiest nations' listed above score within the top-15 countries in the world on the Social Progress Index.

      Although Finland also drinks the most coffee per person in the world, so perhaps that has something to do with it...

      But what the list of happiest countries isn't is a list of conservative countries. Nor are they religious countries - the countries in this list are among the highest in the world for their rates of atheism and religious non-adherence.
      Wait, you are saying that a country where the left wasn't in control, but divided people by race and color, and then started race riots while yelling and screaming about the fact that they were not in power somehow drove the happiness of the US down?

      Imagine that.

      Comment


      • #4
        They're all democracies. Simple.

        FIFY

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by CivilDiscourse View Post

          Wait, you are saying that a country where the left wasn't in control, but divided people by race and color, and then started race riots while yelling and screaming about the fact that they were not in power somehow drove the happiness of the US down?

          Imagine that.
          I always take these sort of surveys with a 5lb. grain of salt. Last year there was one on the fittest cities in the U.S. with the one picked as the best having a life span five or six years shorter than the national average. That's because something like that wasn't part of the criteria but things like the number of gyms per square mile was (not even membership, use or similar things).

          I'm always still in trouble again

          "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
          "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
          "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Starlight View Post
            I see the UN World Happiness Report 2021 has just been released. It is based on survey data from around the world, asking people to rank how satisfied they are with their lives on a 0-10 scale, and averaging those results per country.

            This study has been conducted for a number of years now, and the results typically don't change much year-on-year. Finland has been the happiest country in the world 4 years running.

            The top-10 happiest nations in the 2021 report are:

            1. Finland (7.842)
            2. Denmark (7.620)
            3. Switzerland (7.571)
            4. Iceland (7.554)
            5. Netherlands (7.464)
            6. Norway (7.392)
            7. Sweden (7.363)
            8. Luxembourg (7.324)
            9. New Zealand (7.277)
            10. Austria (7.268)

            It's interesting to me what type of countries are on that list. They're all developed countries, all Western countries, and all liberal / left-wing countries.

            Among Western nations, this isn't a list of the richest countries - although some of them are extremely wealthy, many of them are more towards the middle of the OECD in terms of wealth.

            What it is, however, is a list of countries famous for their left-wing and liberal policies.

            All 5 of the Scandinavian countries, so beloved of Bernie Sanders, for their cradle-to-grave welfare policies and their strong trade unions, are in the top 10 happiest countries. As are a bunch of other countries known for being liberal and left-wing.

            If we compare that list to the 2020 Social Progress Index, which essentially measures how liberal/left a country is, we find that all 10 of those 'happiest nations' listed above score within the top-15 countries in the world on the Social Progress Index.

            Although Finland also drinks the most coffee per person in the world, so perhaps that has something to do with it...

            But what the list of happiest countries isn't is a list of conservative countries. Nor are they religious countries - the countries in this list are among the highest in the world for their rates of atheism and religious non-adherence.
            I listen to a radio show called Freakonomics. A few weeks ago they had an episode about happiness and discussed the country rankings. Among the interviewees was a woman author who had moved from London to Denmark and reported that she became a happier person after living in Denmark for a while. She wrote a book "The year of living Danishly: uncovering the secrets of living in the world's happiest country".

            The conclusions reached by this woman and other interviewees is that the difference is what is valued - that it is more important to pay attention to the quality and meaning of life rather than on GDP and income and consumerism.

            In addition to a better social safety net, it was reported that people in Denmark work only 26 hours a week, and that the income and wealth gap is less than it is in say, the USA. McDonalds pays their workers $22/hour and CEOs don't make the obscene salaries found elsewhere. It is not odd for employed people to take a 12 week travel holiday.

            Another factor is that these countries tend to have homogeneous populations, except for maybe Sweden, as diversity can sometimes lead to conflicts.

            https://freakonomics.com/podcast/happiness/

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by kccd View Post

              McDonalds pays their workers $22/hour and CEOs don't make the obscene salaries found elsewhere.
              One of the secrets that my father gave for happiness is not worrying about what is in other people's pockets.


              And this is the result of demanding more than you're worth


              1_FgmswX2jD8aKUJBEexCDvg.jpegMcRobot-810x553.jpg

              And Nancy Pelosi will tell you to enjoy being "funemployed"

              I'm always still in trouble again

              "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
              "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
              "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Starlight View Post
                I see the UN World Happiness Report 2021 has just been released. It is based on survey data from around the world, asking people to rank how satisfied they are with their lives on a 0-10 scale, and averaging those results per country.

                This study has been conducted for a number of years now, and the results typically don't change much year-on-year. Finland has been the happiest country in the world 4 years running.

                The top-10 happiest nations in the 2021 report are:

                1. Finland (7.842)
                2. Denmark (7.620)
                3. Switzerland (7.571)
                4. Iceland (7.554)
                5. Netherlands (7.464)
                6. Norway (7.392)
                7. Sweden (7.363)
                8. Luxembourg (7.324)
                9. New Zealand (7.277)
                10. Austria (7.268)

                It's interesting to me what type of countries are on that list. They're all developed countries, all Western countries, and all liberal / left-wing countries.

                Among Western nations, this isn't a list of the richest countries - although some of them are extremely wealthy, many of them are more towards the middle of the OECD in terms of wealth.

                What it is, however, is a list of countries famous for their left-wing and liberal policies.

                All 5 of the Scandinavian countries, so beloved of Bernie Sanders, for their cradle-to-grave welfare policies and their strong trade unions, are in the top 10 happiest countries. As are a bunch of other countries known for being liberal and left-wing.

                If we compare that list to the 2020 Social Progress Index, which essentially measures how liberal/left a country is, we find that all 10 of those 'happiest nations' listed above score within the top-15 countries in the world on the Social Progress Index.

                Although Finland also drinks the most coffee per person in the world, so perhaps that has something to do with it...

                But what the list of happiest countries isn't is a list of conservative countries. Nor are they religious countries - the countries in this list are among the highest in the world for their rates of atheism and religious non-adherence.
                What I find amusing is the fact that (assuming this study is even an accurate gauge of "happiness') the so-called happiest countries on your list are the least culturally diverse countries. So a person (or "nationalist" or "racist" as leftists would classify them) against multiculturalism could make a strong argument here using your data. So as a progressive, and champion of multiculturalism, you're actually shooting yourself in the foot.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Starlight View Post

                  But what the list of happiest countries isn't is a list of conservative countries. Nor are they religious countries - the countries in this list are among the highest in the world for their rates of atheism and religious non-adherence.
                  Actively religious people are more likely than their less-religious peers to describe themselves as “very happy”

                  https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tan...this-question/

                  Does Spirituality Make You Happy?

                  Which should perhaps make it surprising that scientists have found, again and again, that those with a spiritual practice or who follow religious beliefs tend to be happier than those who don’t. Study after study has found that religious people tend to be less depressed and less anxious than nonbelievers, better able to handle the vicissitudes of life than nonbelievers. A 2015 survey by researchers at the London School of Economics and the Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands found that participating in a religious organization was the only social activity associated with sustained happiness—even more than volunteering for a charity, taking educational courses or participating in a political or community organization. It’s as if a sense of spirituality and an active, social religious practice were an effective vaccine against the virus of unhappiness.

                  https://time.com/collection/guide-to...ion-happiness/

                  Atheism is the cult of death, the death of hope. The universe is doomed, you are doomed, the only thing that remains is to await your execution...

                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbnueb2OI4o&t=3s

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by seer View Post

                    Actively religious people are more likely than their less-religious peers to describe themselves as “very happy”

                    https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tan...this-question/

                    Does Spirituality Make You Happy?

                    Which should perhaps make it surprising that scientists have found, again and again, that those with a spiritual practice or who follow religious beliefs tend to be happier than those who don’t. Study after study has found that religious people tend to be less depressed and less anxious than nonbelievers, better able to handle the vicissitudes of life than nonbelievers. A 2015 survey by researchers at the London School of Economics and the Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands found that participating in a religious organization was the only social activity associated with sustained happiness—even more than volunteering for a charity, taking educational courses or participating in a political or community organization. It’s as if a sense of spirituality and an active, social religious practice were an effective vaccine against the virus of unhappiness.

                    https://time.com/collection/guide-to...ion-happiness/
                    Confirming what other studies have been showing for decades.

                    I'm always still in trouble again

                    "You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
                    "Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
                    "Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
                      Confirming what other studies have been showing for decades.
                      Christians in New Zealand must be super, super happy!
                      Atheism is the cult of death, the death of hope. The universe is doomed, you are doomed, the only thing that remains is to await your execution...

                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbnueb2OI4o&t=3s

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Dimbulb View Post
                        I see the UN World Happiness Report 2021 has just been released. It is based on survey data from around the world, asking people to rank how satisfied they are with their lives on a 0-10 scale, and averaging those results per country.

                        [...]

                        But what the list of happiest countries isn't is a list of conservative countries. Nor are they religious countries - the countries in this list are among the highest in the world for their rates of atheism and religious non-adherence.
                        This seems to assume that happiness is the be all and end all of human existence, and that if someone is happy (in whatever way that is defined by this survey) then they are necessarily living rightly. Naturally, I reject that premise.
                        Some may call me foolish, and some may call me odd
                        But I'd rather be a fool in the eyes of man
                        Than a fool in the eyes of God


                        From "Fools Gold" by Petra

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Mountain Man View Post

                          This seems to assume that happiness is the be all and end all of human existence, and that if someone is happy (in whatever way that is defined by this survey) then they are necessarily living rightly. Naturally, I reject that premise.
                          agreed...
                          Atheism is the cult of death, the death of hope. The universe is doomed, you are doomed, the only thing that remains is to await your execution...

                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbnueb2OI4o&t=3s

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by seanD View Post

                            What I find amusing is the fact that (assuming this study is even an accurate gauge of "happiness') the so-called happiest countries on your list are the least culturally diverse countries.
                            When were you last in Europe?
                            "It ain't necessarily so
                            The things that you're liable
                            To read in the Bible
                            It ain't necessarily so
                            ."

                            Sportin' Life
                            Porgy & Bess, DuBose Heyward, George & Ira Gershwin

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by rogue06 View Post
                              One of the secrets that my father gave for happiness is not worrying about what is in other people's pockets.


                              And this is the result of demanding more than you're worth


                              1_FgmswX2jD8aKUJBEexCDvg.jpegMcRobot-810x553.jpg

                              And Nancy Pelosi will tell you to enjoy being "funemployed"
                              Where would McDonalds be without the employees who actually staff and run their restaurants? Those employees are invaluable to the company and should be paid accordingly. If McDonalds can still make a profit in Denmark while paying $22/hour, they should be able to do the same here by paying $15/hour. The cost of a big Mac in Denmark is marginally higher than it is here.

                              I don't understand it when people undervalue people who do responsible jobs that are physically demanding and necessary for their companies, but are being paid below the poverty level. The Walton family that owns Walmart includes 4 of the 10 richest people in America.

                              Sure, McD's could try to replace employees with robots, but would the product line suffer? And would customers be OK with that?

                              I also reject your father's advice about not worrying what is in other people's pockets when those other people are the working poor. When full-time employees can't make ends meet, they are eligible for food stamps, Medicaid and other benefits for the poor. This means taxpayers are subsidizing the labor costs of highly profitable companies, and I think it is legitimate to complain about that. These companies actually give their employees advice on how to get these benefits!
                              Last edited by kccd; 03-20-2021, 01:30 PM.

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