CULTURE AND “HAPPINESS”- SOME REFLECTIONS
CULTURE AND “HAPPINESS”- SOME REFLECTIONS

Summary/Abstract: 1.Happiness can be defined as “the deepest attainable inner peace”.2. Happiness requires some notion of constraint. Civilization over time takes the shape of increased impulse control.3. It also requires a degree of autonomy. A feeling by people that they are in control of their own lives4. Those societies with strong concepts of constraint and autonomy within their cultures are markedly happier than others. They are also markedly wealthier. The ‘network’ countries - which also share a strong value of ‘Femininity’ are a standout example5. Societies that do not have strong values of internal constraint and autonomy are markedly less happy.6. But all is not lost for hierarchical societies – Governments can take resolute ‘Top down’ action to reinforce a narrow interpretation of rule of law and institutions enforcing the rules. This can restore a sense of being in control of their life to people.

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