Can the Government Make Us Happy?

Politics matters.

Source: Markus Spiske/Pexels

Research about happiness often focuses on what individuals can do to increase their well-being and joy. But can the government make us happy?

This might sound ridiculous at first, but if we rephrase the question, it makes more sense: Are there steps that governments can take to create conditions for happiness and well-being to flourish in society? The answer to this question is a resounding Yes.

First, the government has a unique role in addressing unemployment, one of the greatest causes of unhappiness around the world. High levels of unemployment negatively affect everyone’s well-being—both those who are unemployed and those who still have jobs. Measures to reduce unemployment are among the single most important steps governments can take to increase population well-being.

Trust in Government

Happiness is closely related to trust in government institutions. The more confidence we have in our government, the happier we are. At a global level, increases in democracy come before increases in happiness.

So, democracy matters deeply, and this places responsibilities on all stakeholders: Representative democracy works best when our elected representatives behave in a responsible fashion, and participatory democracy works best when everyone gets involved—voting, supporting, protesting, and staying engaged.

Government also has a unique role in promoting happiness and well-being at the community level owing to the relationship between happiness and “social capital.” Trusting, cooperating communities have increased happiness, reduced crime, and lower rates of suicide. Focusing public policy on increasing this kind of social capital will not only enhance cohesion, reduce crime, and deepen trust, it will also increase happiness.

This can involve deepening participatory democracy, devolving decision-making to local forums, or protecting public services that deliver inestimable value, such as community policing, public health nurses, and functioning public libraries.

Mental Capital

Happiness is strongly related to good mental health, so there is a unique role for government in supporting and expanding relevant mental health services in communities.

In addition to building mental health services, it is useful to focus on “mental capital,” which refers to our cognitive resources, emotional intelligence, social skills, flexibility, and resilience. This idea of mental capital is holistic, ambitious, and pragmatic. It reflects a need to expand our thinking beyond mental illness and psychological problems to the broader themes of mental wellness, resilience, and resourcefulness—all of which are reflected in the idea of mental capital.

On this basis, governments could devote greater attention to supporting mental capital, as well as systematically increasing trust in democratic institutions, enhancing social capital in communities, and protecting mental health services—all of which deepen happiness.

There is a balance of responsibilities here, among the individual, their community, and the government. Governments can help create the broad context for happiness and well-being to flourish, communities can support this, and individuals can position themselves to take advantage of these opportunities as best as possible.

Perfect happiness might not always be attainable, but patiently building the conditions for well-being is.