Thanks for this blog. Much to think about.

If happiness, its simplest explanation, is being satisfied with, and fully enjoying one’s life, then democracy, the power of people, would seem to give them all means to create their life the way they want – a carte blanche to build their own happiness. So why is it not always the case? Here’s what I think…

First, it might be because a) people sometimes do not know what they really want their life to be, or b) they do, but don’t know how to achieve it. If you are given a brush and colours for painting a picture, this doesn’t necessarily mean you will create a masterpiece at once, though you have all the tools you need, and maybe even have a clear vision. Of course this is essential, but you should reach a certain level of skill.

Second, I’m not at all an expert here, but I would assume that democratic mechanisms, being similar in their essence, differ to some degree from country to country, some being more open and effective, some less.

Third. All leaders who are now holding the wheel have been elected by people to represent them, exactly because the latter assumed these figures understood and shared common needs and were able to make people happy. However, this is still just a small group of people, who a) might also have their own interests, not always corresponding with their election statements, and b) they still represent just a part of a nation (unless a nation is absolutely unanimous, which is, of course, utopical). Therefore, someone’s left unhappy anyway ;)

Then, as you said, when democracy is no longer an issue people switch to other things to be unsatisfied with. Visiting Geneve, a prosperous city in a democratic country, I was stunned to learn that it’s one of the leading European cities by the number of suicides. By the way, it would be also curious to explore correlation with one more element in your study: Happiness – Democracy – Wealth (Prosperity)…

There might be a cultural aspect as well: what does being happy actually mean in certain societies, and does democracy provide opportunities to achieve it?

And one more thing. Is there a point in talking about the happiness of a nation? Can democracy and all the good it brings guarantee one’s personal happiness?

My answer is yes, but only a part of it. The part that relates to opportunities of getting material good (to satisfy our physical needs) as well as access to knowledge, cultural assets and the freedom of self-expression, doing what you want to do (to satisfy our mind and soul). However, there’s one side of happiness which doesn’t depend on the regime – it’s love.

That’s why I would answer my initial question ‘yes’ and ‘no’. ‘Yes’, for the reasons listed above. ‘No’, because democracy is not a guarantee that I’ll be with my loved one.

Of course, as opposed to traditional societies where marriage is something imposed, when parents just ‘make a deal’ not taking into account young people’s feelings, democracy gives one a freedom to choose a person one wants to be with. So it definitely gives more opportunities, but can’t promise that you will find your soulmate. And again, even in a most closed society it may happen that people who are imposed to each other become the love of each other’s life. In the end, you only need one person in your life, and no matter which way you will ultimately meet him or her… So love is still something above all regimes (I know, I know, this sounds cheesy, but – does anyone disagree? ;))

All in all, democracy will surely make me happiER, to the degree it can… But will it make me happy? Still a question ;)