What About Democracy, Religion, Charity, Volunteering, Etc.?

Factors such as democracy, culture, environmental pollution, income inequality, social capital, religion, volunteering, and giving are rarely mentioned when people are asked what’s important for their happiness. Moreover, the evidence mustered in support of the relevance of these items to happiness is usually both cross-sectional and not upheld by time-series tests. For example, time-series evidence indicates no lasting effect on happiness in South Africa when a representative democratic government is established. Additionally, for some factors, personality traits are likely the true cause. Thus, the supposed positive effect on happiness of volunteering disappears when personality traits are added to the analysis. Although factors such as those noted above should never be ruled out, the evidence repeatedly underscores that down-to-earth, close-to home circumstances—economic situation, family life, and health—overwhelmingly determine happiness.