The Prerequisite for World Peace?

Personal Happiness: The Prerequisite for World Peace?
People with Strong Sense of Well-Being Support Democracy, Equality, Nonviolence

A new study in the Journal of Social Issues states that individuals with a strong sense of personal well-being tend to have more confidence in the government, express more support for democracy and exhibit less racial intolerance. These individual level differences are moderated by nation-level societal factors such as violence, inequality and economic development.

"Global peace efforts often give strong emphasis to economic and democratic development within societies," say study co-authors Ed Diener and William Tov. “Our results provide support for these efforts in showing that the social, political and economic structures of a society are related to peace, as reflected in the attitudes of the people living in that society.” Diener cautions, however, that the correlation between happiness and peace is not simple, and that happy, satisfied people are well aware of their political and social surroundings.

Living in a wealthy democracy does not guarantee support for democracy—particularly if people are unhappy and dissatisfied. The findings of the study suggest that dissatisfied people who live in wealthy democracies may be even more critical and less supportive of democracy than dissatisfied people who live in poorer, less democratic nations. "Confidence in the government is enhanced in those countries where homicide rates are low, economic inequality is low, and people are happy and satisfied with their lives," says Diener.

"Although efforts to improve societal conditions are implicitly aimed at increasing happiness, we suggest that well- being itself be more explicitly stated in the ideals of a peaceful society," say the authors. "Well-being is not just a final goal, but a key factor in fostering and maintaining the conditions for peace."

This study, "Subjective Well-Being and Peace" by Ed Diener and William Tov, is published in: Vol. 63 Issue 2 of the Journal of Social Issues.