A study finds that countries whose people enjoy more freedom tend to be happier.
July 7, 2008

Who knew? The legalization of gay marriage might make Californians happier. At least that's what a new study based on surveys of 350,000 people in nearly 100 countries suggests.

No, the authors aren't gay activists, nor do they seem to be peddling any particular political agenda. But in their search to discover which countries are happier than others and why, these scholars -- led by University of Michigan political scientist Ronald Inglehart -- have stumbled on one pretty fundamental conclusion about what people want out of life: freedom.

Yes, that's right, more or less the same thing you were celebrating Friday by scarfing down hamburgers next to the pool in your brother-in-law's backyard. How exactly, you ask, is gay marriage connected with "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"?

It's simple. According to surveys, in developed countries discrimination against women and minorities is actually waning and gays remain the least tolerated "outgroup" in society. They are the proverbial canaries in the coal mine. In most developed countries, the relative level of their acceptance or rejection is a sensitive indicator of that society's overall tolerance toward minorities. And -- here's the takeaway -- social tolerance "broadens the range of choices available to people," thereby enhancing happiness for both the tolerant and the intolerant alike.

Sounds a little too touchy-feely, right? Are they saying that Armenians, who were next to last in the study's happiness ranking, should immediately allow gays to marry in order to be happier? Not exactly.

The researchers have found that freedom of choice is not only a universal aspiration but the single most important basis of human happiness. But to get to freedom of choice for Armenians, who live in poverty, social tolerance might not beat out economic development on the national "to-do" list. That's because first, you have to have enough food to eat. Of course, economic well-being doesn't just buy food, it also frees people from the lack of life choices that deprivation imposes -- suddenly you're on your way up the happiness scale.

But money can only take you so far. The transition from a subsistence economy to moderate economic security has a profound effect on a nation's happiness. But once a nation gets past the level of, say, Portugal (No. 47), economic growth begins to produce diminishing returns. That's when, the study's authors theorize, humans can afford to try to maximize "free choice in all the realms of life." Here in the U.S., we know all about post-materialist politics and the emergence of "quality of life" issues.

At this stage, what does a society have to look like in order to create more free choice and more happiness? The study indicates that you need democratization and, most important of all, social tolerance.

"Yes, I know that all this sounds like I've been brainwashed by my third-grade teacher," lead researcher Inglehart told me, "but it turns out it's true. The empirical evidence is clear: Freedom is conducive to happiness."

For years, scholars were convinced that a nation's level of happiness was constant. Previous research indicated that neither sudden tragedy nor rising fortunes could alter a nation's long-term levels of satisfaction. Biological studies also have shown the degree to which happiness can be inherited. But the sheer size of the survey sample in this study, as well as the fact that it was longitudinal -- tracking results for most countries over nearly 20 years -- strongly suggest that the old studies were wrong. The happiness of a society fluctuates and usually is based on the relative freedom (including freedom from scarcity) of its population.

The researchers' theories can account for a lot about the rankings that emerged from their work, but not everything. After all, the big picture might be development, democracy and tolerance, but individual happiness is still pretty subjective, and there are other, more minor factors that determine life satisfaction.

Where did the U.S. come in? Sixteenth. Which country was No. 1? Denmark. One impressive showing came from Latin America, where many of the nations ranked higher than the researchers had expected. Colombia, for example, came in at No. 3; Puerto Rico at No. 2. In fact, for all the study's emphasis on development, democratization and tolerance, Latin America makes even the researchers wonder. They speculate that happiness in Latin America might have something to do with those societies' strong belief in God. Traditional religion, according to the researchers, is also conducive to happiness.

Which brings us to a modern-day quandary. Modernity is good because it facilitates development, democracy and freedom of choice; but so is tradition because it gives us a sense of security, predictability and purpose in our lives. The study suggests that religious faith and social tolerance are a winning combination. Which leaves me wondering: Perhaps people in the U.S. would all be happier if more ministers, rabbis, imams and priests conducted more gay marriages.

That's a specious thesis but, hey, I'm willing to try anything once. Who wants to make an honest man of me?!?!?!

Great OP, garycee. Where was this study published? I'd like to repeat the post in Enid in my thread there on gay marriage.

The piece came from the Los Angeles Times.

Ty, garycee!

I enjoyed the piece and believe it to be true.

When we are so 'big' on equal rights, our freedom and the ability to live our lives the way we think it should be lived, yet many are willing to permit ALL people to enjoy those 'rights', there is constant bickering, unrest and UNHAPPINESS.

I have several friends and co-workers who are in 'same sex' marriages and they are happy all the time.
My hubby and I are happy all the time as well.......so what this says to me is that when WE.......ALL PPL........are permitted to live our lives OUR way, there is happiness for all.

Thanks Gary!!!

quote:

A study finds that countries whose people enjoy more freedom tend to be happier.

This study may be the most ridiculous study I've seen in my lifetime, and the conclusions are equally ridiculous...The non sequitors are rampant, the methodology is unprofessional...

ONE FINAL POINT:

If Colombia(which has had a terror group kidnapping folks for now 30 years & killing folks that don't agree with them) comes in at #3 on the happiness scale, and the USA(which folks from around the world are aching to come to & become citizens) comes in at #16, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn you may be interested in...cheap...

And the gay rights movement grasping at this study to prove something positive about same sex relationships?...Well, this is another reason why I am NO LONGER A GAY RIGHTS SUPPORTER, HAVEN'T BEEN ONE FOR YEARS!! I like honesty in any discussion...there sure ain't much of that in this study or its conclusions...

Why would the gay community have to grasp at something "positive" about same sex relationships?

quote:

Originally posted by AdaNeedsChange:
Why would the gay community have to grasp at something "positive" about same sex relationships?

Because even liberal states like here in Wisconsin, voted to put into their state constitution, that marriage must be 1 man, 1 woman...

And over 25 more states have done likewise...even liberal California will do the same come this Fall...

And once genetics finds a homosexual gene, most parents will choose abortion over birth, if they discover their unborn has the homosexual trait...

And go to almost any school yard in this country & you will hear kids, from progressive homes, calling their classmates the most vile anti-gay names...I won't post those names here, but kids know instinctively what is disordered(same sex sexual orientation) and what is normal(opposite sex sexual orientation)...

Blame it on Mother Nature...it's in our genes...to prefer opposite sex attractions, since same sex attractions don't propagate the human race...they would have ended it(the human race)thousands of years ago, if too may people were gay...

So despite what the major media says, most Americans don't approve of the gay lifestyle...including a lot of liberals...who will say one thing in public & another in private...

What i just opined above is sad, but I WILL speak honestly on issues like this...OH, America is NOT ready for gay marriage either...

Again what on earth does that have to do with finding something "positive" about same sex relationships? I can guarantee you the great majority of happy couples in love who happen to be of the same sex have something "positive" in their lives without grasping.

Love is positive, commitment is positive, sharing your life with someone is positive. The gender or sexual preference of the participants is irrelevant in relationship to the positive aspects of love.

quote:

Blame it on Mother Nature...it's in our genes...to prefer opposite sex attractions, since same sex attractions don't propagate the human race...they would have ended it(the human race)thousands of years ago, if too may people were gay...

You're right Dave, except don't BLAME Mother Nature, but THANK Mother Nature. It's in SOME of our genes to prefer the opposite sex. Not everyone was born gay, only certain people. Worked out OK, good mixture of heterosexual people to fall in love with other heterosexual people and gay people to fall in love with other gay people.

And a lot of people bouncing back and forth in between after a few shots of tequila!! Am I right!?!?! We've all been there, right?!?!?!

quote:

Originally posted by Libertad:
And a lot of people bouncing back and forth in between after a few shots of tequila!! Am I right!?!?! We've all been there, right?!?!?!

Not sure I follow what you are saying there.

Love isn't partial to heterosexual or homosexual relationships and it's just as valid in both.

Love, commitment, monogamy,dedicating your life to the one you love, these are all positive things regardless of your gender or sexual preference.

Of course there are promiscuous people in all sexual orientations, but that isn't what we are talking about here, we are talking about loving, committed relationships.

LOL OMG GAL!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Libertad:
LOL OMG GAL!!!

Not exactly sure what that means or how pertains to the conversation.