People most happy in individualistic countries - Archief 1999
12 oktober 1999
Dutch sociologist Ruut Veenhoven compared happiness in 43 nations. He foundgreater happiness in the most individualistic nations. This result is at oddswith the theory that modern individualism doesn't suit human nature.
Much of the perils of modern life are attributed to growing individualism,for instance the rising rates of divorce, drug abuse and suicides. It is assumedthat we need strong social bonds, because the human species developed in closeknit bands. Modernization of society would conflict with human nature. Adherentsof this view plea for the strengthening of moral bonds and for preserving thewelfare state.
At Erasmus University of Rotterdam, sociologist Ruut Veenhoven checked thistheory, by inspecting whether people live less happy in individualistic society.He compared 43 nations. Happiness was measured by surveys on how many citizensenjoy their life. Social freedom and psychological autonomy assessedindividualism.
It appears that people are more rather than less happy in individualisticsociety. Average happiness is particular high in nations where both socialfreedom and personal education are high. The relationship holds in rich nationsonly. Among poor nations the trend is rather negative. In the rich nations,there is no indication that individualism has past its optimum. Contrary to thecase of economic affluence, there is no pattern of diminishing returns.
Veenhoven argues that humans have no innate need for 'strong bonds', but thatevolution rather produced a preference for 'weak ties'. He criticizes the miserycounts that observe only the harms of individualism and forget about itsbenefits.
A report of the study is published in the Oktober issue of Social IndicatorsResearch, vol. 48, pp 157-186. The full text can be downloaded from URL http://www.eur.nl/fsw/personeel/soc/veenhoven/Pub90s/99b-txt.zip
Professor Veenhoven can be contacted by e-mail: veenhoven@fsw/eur.nlor by telephone +31 10 4082102
People most happy in individualistic countries
