The Happiness of Nations

A Comparative Analysis of OECD Countries

Bibliographic Data

ID12836232
AuthorsMilan Zafirovski (0000-0002-6823-8977, University of North Texas, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume19
Issue2
Pages176-236
Publication date2020-06-05
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueComparative Sociology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1569-1322 • E-ISSN: 1569-1330
PublisherBrill (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1163/15691330-bja10011
OpenAlexW3034315049
LanguageEN
References cited53

This paper reexamines the concept and determinants of happiness within global society involving Western and comparable societies such as OECD countries. The review of the literature suggests that it leaves a certain void with respect to the bearing of types of contemporary societies on happiness and its societal conditions. The paper argues that a particular type of these societies, denoted as the combination of welfare capitalism and liberal democracy, tends to create the best societal conditions for a happier society than do other types, such as those described as the compound of oligarchic-plutocratic capitalism and illiberal ‘democracy’ and mixed social systems. It then presents varied evidence in strong support of the argument demonstrating that this type of society is the most successful in creating objective conditions for realizing the ideal of the ‘greatest happiness to the greatest number’ of its members compared to its opposite and mixed alternatives. The paper concludes that the evidence strongly confirms that welfare capitalism/liberal democracy functions as the strongest determinant and predictor of the happiness of societies today

Argument (complex analysis · Capitalism · Democracy · Economics · Happiness · Ideal (ethics · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Sociology · Welfare · Employment and Welfare Studies · Income, Poverty, and Inequality · Law · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

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