The short answer is yes- conservatives tend to be happier than liberals, but it is a little more complicated than that. I had done my due diligence in terms of research. I found research on how things like income, marital status, single parenthood and views on media affected our levels of happiness. I even had a tentative hypothesis that liberals high faith in media made them more vulnerable to catastrophe porn which in turn made them think the world was a far worse place than it actually is. I had even drawn the conclusion that the desire for social change is a symptom of deep-seated personal unhappiness.
I had a whole argument lined up from the earlier days of YouTube which showed that despite a sophisticated algorithm meant to push people towards the Corporate Media (and contrary to smears which argued its Alt Right radicalising tendency), most people first encountering YouTube tended to self-sort into types of viewership by a far more simple metric- conservatives were likely to favour content on economics to learn more about how our systems worked, whilst liberals and progressives tended to automatically search for anything related to social progress issues. I even had a whole grand theory worked out that the conservative desire to preserve and maintain the status quo was informed by generally higher levels of personal happiness, whilst the liberal or desire for social change was a symptom of a desire to rectify personal unhappiness, with politics serving as a proxy for the need to address far more immediate concerns in one’s personal life.
And in a way, I was right- just not in the way I thought. I found wisdom in the Daily Mail of all places! This article profoundly shaped the narrative of this essay, because it highlights Canadian research which shows that people who live in rural communities are on average eight times happier than city dwellers! This despite the fact that people in ‘Cities have higher salaries, higher education levels and lower unemployment rates.’
This revelation struck a real personal chord. I grew up in a rural area (although I also lived abroad as a child) and returned to my roots after a few years living in London. I can still remember the regular experience of sitting on the train and the feeling I had when claustrophobic urban landscapes gave way to green open fields. It felt a little like smoking a joint of mellow weed, only more joyful, invigorating, energetic and less groggy. At the time I took it as a symptom of the imagery of living spaces, they ways in which we are more adapted towards green rather than grey spaces and wondered at a human metaphor which allowed us to feel more free in rural area- less hemmed in, enclosed and inhibited by the omnipresence of others in public spaces. Now I’m not so sure.
I think the difference is more fundamental- it’s about personal human connection. Other than my two cousins who seem to spend all their time ensconced online (much to my despair), I see all of my family. When I walk my dog down the local boat dyke, I know most of my fellow dog walkers, and even if I don’t the common bond of diligent dog ownership means I soon will. I know all of my local shop assistants enough to at least chat to and exchange pleasantries. It is rare these days for me not have a passing familiarity with the weekly delivery drivers from Sainsbury’s. I know most of the people who frequent my local pub and community shop and some of these friendly acquaintances go back years.
Some of these relationships are superficial, others less so, but they all add up to a feeling of personal connection in the world which surrounds me. And there may be distinct reasons why rural environments are more ideal for humans in terms of evolutionary biology. As hunter gatherers we lived in groups of no more than 100. With the agriculture age, whether we are talking about hamlets (50-150 people), villages (500-2,500) or towns (1,000-8,000), most of our settlements were still suited for human happiness, even if many other aspects of our lives roughly a hundred years or before would seem horrific brutally poor and deprived to modern Westerners. Some research has suggested that on average we know around 600 people, with our actual personal networks somewhat smaller, maxing out at around 150. Given that much of the research tends to stress that the threshold for higher happiness is small town, and the US census defines small town as a population under 5,000, perhaps our happiness with our surroundings is contingent upon seeing enough familiar faces in our public spaces to change our frame of mind.
People in small towns smile at passers-by. They often exchange pleasantries about the weather with perfect strangers. An older Northern gentleman from my local pub had his grandchildren come to visit. One of the children remarked at how many friends he had when they were driving through the village, from the number of friendly waves he received. At the time, he had only been living in the village for six months. The key to our happiness may not just lie in our family and immediate friends, but also in the friendliness we encounter in our local communities. In the local shops in the next village, it is a frequent sight to see people who know each other chat for a good five to ten minutes. This might also be one of the reasons why people with higher rates of religiosity are happier- one of the attractions of being religious for the religious is the strong community it fosters.
I was right about liberal trust in media, and given the fat that most media is prone to making mountains out of molehills and painting a picture of the world which is far from the optimistic and rapidly improving place it was before the pandemic, it is no doubt a factor in the fact that liberals are generally more unhappy. This research from Pew shows that income matters, with the more affluent generally tending to be happier, marriage status is very important to happiness, but only kids aren’t a factor- one presumes that the incredible levels of personal fulfilment parents feel from having children, is balanced out by sheer worry over their wellbeing and concern they won’t be happy. As previously stated, pet owners tend to be more happy. Single parents seem to be the least happy of all.
Race does matter, according to Pew Research. Latinos evidence levels of happiness close to whites, but African Americans show the lowest levels of happiness of all. Little wonder. Their income levels are generally lower, they are more likely to be single parents or a raised in single parent homes (a significant factor in personal happiness, according to Dr Warren Farrell’s The Boy Crisis). They do tend to be more religious which should be a positive factor, but are also far more likely to live in cities- the least positive factor of all.
The real question we should be asking is why are Latinos so happy. Their income levels have a similar distribution to African Americans. Although religious they tend to be less religious than African Americans. They are also most likely of all to live in urban settings. It’s a mystery and one I find myself unable to answer. But generally my research shows that if you want to be happy there are four golden rules you should follow- don’t live in a city, find faith, get married and buy a pet. In fact getting a dog might actually help you find that special person, according to this article from Psychology Today.
People who live in rural communities know they have to rely on each other because "the government" won't be there and so they invest in personal relationships. People who live in the cities know "the government" will be there and so don't invest in personal relationships.
Could the observation that Latinos are more likely to be Catholic be a factor? Isn't it pretty well known that sinful but forgiven Catholics are happier than dour Protestants always worried about hell?
Maybe its a typecast, but do Latinos have strong family connections that create that community? Good one Geary! It is confirmation that I’ve been making some good life choices - quit a downtown job, losing a hideous miserable commute, for a lower paying credit union job I can get to in 15 minutes and immersing myself in a tight knit community that put people before profits, most being church going. Plus, getting a puppy this weekend. Im sure thats going to be painful before it gives dividends. But my happiness is way up as of 2 years ago when I quit the office tower after 30 years. I detested downtown & competition for parking at the commuter train station, walking to the office tower to sit in a noisy cube farm, walking via a gauntlet of aggressive/sometimes violent street people and crap smelling sidewalk tents really was getting to me. Plus no more lunch time escape to parks in Toronto downtown- parks filled with tents/ drug users and their refuse and angry sjw protesters. Fuckin have at it - see ya!
Don't know about the politics, but old socially acceptable ideas like manners, courtesy, politeness, etiquette, etc. are all about how to get along on a superficial level that keeps people happier, friendlier and more likely to get along. These are what create a shared culture and a way of interacting to reduce conflict or mean words. That part of culture seems lost today. I'm always amazed at how many people I can walk by without even getting eye contact much less a simple nod or "hello."
thank you Geary for a timely piece on how human connection is what keeps us sane and happy, instead of living in a 'met averse' owned by you know who. I believe that the deep wounds of the pandemic lockdowns vaxx passports etc can only be healed if we find a way back to each other even as we disagree about everything. That is going to be the challenge for the next few years.
I think conservative is an obsolete definition and liberal is a (purposely) misdirected one. They are liberal with somebody else money and position these liberals defends their positions/benefits by pointing defects on the rest. These “liberals” can also be defined as people that do not need to compete for their earnings or that want to be seen as cool/friendly/fashionable. Most of the time they are pretending, posturing, but in fact they are as “conservative” (of their own interest) as the rest. “Conservative” = anybody that would answer the questions truthfully, instead of trying to create an image from which to profit. How many “liberals” would like a refuge center in front of their house, knowing the situations not reported by the press but that actually happen?
I come from a very small town, it is true what you say, due to the closeness, it has its positive and negative. I think small towns in Europe (not geographically spread) most of them have that feeling, I see it more difficult in USA where towns are very much spread geographically, and use of the car is needed even to go to a café.
Japan is an interesting exception here. People are definitely more connected with the group being upmost but definitely very unhappy. And Japan is a very conservative country. Change is not welcomed at all. I rather feel what you're driving at is the freedom to be yourself and most people don't have this because they are not prone to self-examination on a significant level or as in Japan's case the culture is not conducive to such freedom.
The point about being a conservative for me is acceptance. For a liberal you need to conform. You need to demonstrate that you are fully 'signed up' by supporting whatever is the fashionable 'cause' no matter what you may think about it personally.
Could it be that latinos have a strong family unit to fall back on? My source for this is just, well, Hollywood, but it's a common trope that hispanics in the US have the typical cloying, worrying mother, the proud father, the numerous brothers and sisters, the funny cousins etc... must play a role?
More broadly: age. Rural life just is not appealing to 20-somethings, who still need to find: who they are, a job, a partner, a purpose. That's a lot of stress and demands, so a city is the best place for them at least for nothing other than options. And younger people are more progressive - they hope that society can adapt enough to meet their future needs. Then, when in their late '30s and - hopefully - settled down, they may become a little bit more centrist. Feel a yearning for where they grew up. Start to appreciate space and natural light and beauty, and classic architecture... until before you know it they're late-40s and voting conservative, to the dismay of their teenage daughter. And so the wheel turns...
Propaganda is not a healthy mental diet and we're all starved for truth. It's just become almost impossible to find unless you know how to look. But it's all going to change, possibly for the better, in about month. Keeping a vigil over here in Canada...
Great essay! My husband, our young adult daughter and I were just chatting the other day about this very topic. I grew up in rural small town America. I had a completely different experience compared to my daughter. I played in woods, cornfields and saw cows everyday in the pasture of the farm in our neighborhood. Children of all ages from 2-18 were outside playing all day, free and un supervised -friendships grew organically. We had fights, broken bones, stitches and made trouble here and there. Whether Protestant or Catholic we all were in church on Sundays. We had parades for every holiday, carnivals in summer, large picnic gatherings etc. Neighbors helped each other out with home/yard projects or work on the family auto. It was a different time as well as place. I have spent the past 20 yrs raising my daughter in an urban suburb. No corn fields, very few woods, but she has access to parks, tennis courts, swim/ice center, shops, public library, and an excellent police department that is rather large for a community were you need to look for crime.
Where I grew up The factories closed in the 70’s, things took a downward turn. By 1980 kids graduated HS and left. Shops closed, local movie theaters and the drive in too. Renters took up space and the drugs and crime began. The small town glory is gone. The beautiful stone church I was raised and married in is a wine bar. The Catholic Church and school has recently closed.
Husband had the best upbringing of all. within driving distance to commute to major city, but lots of spacious woods and country side for him to run around in along with community amenities and top notch schools. It’s one of the wealthiest areas in the county. Lucky him.
I had a strong sense of community growing up, as did he. Our daughter not so much, but likely more than those who live in purely urban environments or larger suburbs. I think it’s due to generation differences in raising family. At least partly.
With each passing year I find myself yearning to return to small town country life. But how it was in it’s glory.
There’s no going home for me and I feel sad over that. Unless I return and help who remained with a renaissance.
As far as Latinos being happier could it be due to differences in history and experiences of ancestors?
I’d emphasize religion. (Yes, I know many left wingers who are religious, but on average conservatives are more religious.) It’s not a panacea, but having a sense of meaning and purpose to life is a huge factor in happiness. Not that religious people never have existential dread, but I know I’d have a much harder time with suffering and life if I were a materialist atheist.
As I read your essay about city mice versus country mice, and could not stop the broad smile that was creeping onto my face.
Seems as though you are one of the many people who choose to live in smaller communities, where a skilled carpenter can be as highly regarded as the local doctor or lawyer.
I will soon be in my eight decade, and thus am in a lovely period of reflection on a life so thoroughly enjoyed while living in villages with perhaps 600 residents or on the far outskirts of urban areas.
Smiling at people and saying hello is a most a most healthy way to live one's life.
I look forward to reading more of your missives, Geary.
People who live in rural communities know they have to rely on each other because "the government" won't be there and so they invest in personal relationships. People who live in the cities know "the government" will be there and so don't invest in personal relationships.
> and given the fat that most media
the fact
Could the observation that Latinos are more likely to be Catholic be a factor? Isn't it pretty well known that sinful but forgiven Catholics are happier than dour Protestants always worried about hell?
Maybe its a typecast, but do Latinos have strong family connections that create that community? Good one Geary! It is confirmation that I’ve been making some good life choices - quit a downtown job, losing a hideous miserable commute, for a lower paying credit union job I can get to in 15 minutes and immersing myself in a tight knit community that put people before profits, most being church going. Plus, getting a puppy this weekend. Im sure thats going to be painful before it gives dividends. But my happiness is way up as of 2 years ago when I quit the office tower after 30 years. I detested downtown & competition for parking at the commuter train station, walking to the office tower to sit in a noisy cube farm, walking via a gauntlet of aggressive/sometimes violent street people and crap smelling sidewalk tents really was getting to me. Plus no more lunch time escape to parks in Toronto downtown- parks filled with tents/ drug users and their refuse and angry sjw protesters. Fuckin have at it - see ya!
Don't know about the politics, but old socially acceptable ideas like manners, courtesy, politeness, etiquette, etc. are all about how to get along on a superficial level that keeps people happier, friendlier and more likely to get along. These are what create a shared culture and a way of interacting to reduce conflict or mean words. That part of culture seems lost today. I'm always amazed at how many people I can walk by without even getting eye contact much less a simple nod or "hello."
thank you Geary for a timely piece on how human connection is what keeps us sane and happy, instead of living in a 'met averse' owned by you know who. I believe that the deep wounds of the pandemic lockdowns vaxx passports etc can only be healed if we find a way back to each other even as we disagree about everything. That is going to be the challenge for the next few years.
Very good writing!
I think conservative is an obsolete definition and liberal is a (purposely) misdirected one. They are liberal with somebody else money and position these liberals defends their positions/benefits by pointing defects on the rest. These “liberals” can also be defined as people that do not need to compete for their earnings or that want to be seen as cool/friendly/fashionable. Most of the time they are pretending, posturing, but in fact they are as “conservative” (of their own interest) as the rest. “Conservative” = anybody that would answer the questions truthfully, instead of trying to create an image from which to profit. How many “liberals” would like a refuge center in front of their house, knowing the situations not reported by the press but that actually happen?
I come from a very small town, it is true what you say, due to the closeness, it has its positive and negative. I think small towns in Europe (not geographically spread) most of them have that feeling, I see it more difficult in USA where towns are very much spread geographically, and use of the car is needed even to go to a café.
Japan is an interesting exception here. People are definitely more connected with the group being upmost but definitely very unhappy. And Japan is a very conservative country. Change is not welcomed at all. I rather feel what you're driving at is the freedom to be yourself and most people don't have this because they are not prone to self-examination on a significant level or as in Japan's case the culture is not conducive to such freedom.
The point about being a conservative for me is acceptance. For a liberal you need to conform. You need to demonstrate that you are fully 'signed up' by supporting whatever is the fashionable 'cause' no matter what you may think about it personally.
Could it be that latinos have a strong family unit to fall back on? My source for this is just, well, Hollywood, but it's a common trope that hispanics in the US have the typical cloying, worrying mother, the proud father, the numerous brothers and sisters, the funny cousins etc... must play a role?
More broadly: age. Rural life just is not appealing to 20-somethings, who still need to find: who they are, a job, a partner, a purpose. That's a lot of stress and demands, so a city is the best place for them at least for nothing other than options. And younger people are more progressive - they hope that society can adapt enough to meet their future needs. Then, when in their late '30s and - hopefully - settled down, they may become a little bit more centrist. Feel a yearning for where they grew up. Start to appreciate space and natural light and beauty, and classic architecture... until before you know it they're late-40s and voting conservative, to the dismay of their teenage daughter. And so the wheel turns...
Propaganda is not a healthy mental diet and we're all starved for truth. It's just become almost impossible to find unless you know how to look. But it's all going to change, possibly for the better, in about month. Keeping a vigil over here in Canada...
Great essay! My husband, our young adult daughter and I were just chatting the other day about this very topic. I grew up in rural small town America. I had a completely different experience compared to my daughter. I played in woods, cornfields and saw cows everyday in the pasture of the farm in our neighborhood. Children of all ages from 2-18 were outside playing all day, free and un supervised -friendships grew organically. We had fights, broken bones, stitches and made trouble here and there. Whether Protestant or Catholic we all were in church on Sundays. We had parades for every holiday, carnivals in summer, large picnic gatherings etc. Neighbors helped each other out with home/yard projects or work on the family auto. It was a different time as well as place. I have spent the past 20 yrs raising my daughter in an urban suburb. No corn fields, very few woods, but she has access to parks, tennis courts, swim/ice center, shops, public library, and an excellent police department that is rather large for a community were you need to look for crime.
Where I grew up The factories closed in the 70’s, things took a downward turn. By 1980 kids graduated HS and left. Shops closed, local movie theaters and the drive in too. Renters took up space and the drugs and crime began. The small town glory is gone. The beautiful stone church I was raised and married in is a wine bar. The Catholic Church and school has recently closed.
Husband had the best upbringing of all. within driving distance to commute to major city, but lots of spacious woods and country side for him to run around in along with community amenities and top notch schools. It’s one of the wealthiest areas in the county. Lucky him.
I had a strong sense of community growing up, as did he. Our daughter not so much, but likely more than those who live in purely urban environments or larger suburbs. I think it’s due to generation differences in raising family. At least partly.
With each passing year I find myself yearning to return to small town country life. But how it was in it’s glory.
There’s no going home for me and I feel sad over that. Unless I return and help who remained with a renaissance.
As far as Latinos being happier could it be due to differences in history and experiences of ancestors?
I’d emphasize religion. (Yes, I know many left wingers who are religious, but on average conservatives are more religious.) It’s not a panacea, but having a sense of meaning and purpose to life is a huge factor in happiness. Not that religious people never have existential dread, but I know I’d have a much harder time with suffering and life if I were a materialist atheist.
Man, another good one, and personally speaking, I resonate strongly with this one. And you have officially convinced me that I need to get a dog.
As I read your essay about city mice versus country mice, and could not stop the broad smile that was creeping onto my face.
Seems as though you are one of the many people who choose to live in smaller communities, where a skilled carpenter can be as highly regarded as the local doctor or lawyer.
I will soon be in my eight decade, and thus am in a lovely period of reflection on a life so thoroughly enjoyed while living in villages with perhaps 600 residents or on the far outskirts of urban areas.
Smiling at people and saying hello is a most a most healthy way to live one's life.
I look forward to reading more of your missives, Geary.