Update to: What warrants explaining: equality or inequality?
Consider what Arthur Brooks wrote in his recent post at the Freakonimics blog:
In my book I argue that conservatives are more optimistic about the future than liberals are, and believe in each individual’s ability to get ahead on the basis of achievement.Liberals are more likely to see themselves and others as victims of circumstance and oppression, and doubt whether individuals can climb without governmental help.
Via Arnold Kling at EconLog.
Ignorance, bliss, blah blah blah.
One interesting facet of this study seems to be that the results are America-specific. Many western European nations, for example, show a positive correlation between reported happiness and increased secularization and expansion of the welfare state, job satisfaction aside. In any case, I suspect a deeper cultural element at work here that goes beyond the standard conservative/liberal tropes.
Ignorance, bliss, blah blah blah.
One interesting facet of this study seems to be that the results are America-specific. Many western European nations, for example, show a positive correlation between reported happiness and increased secularization and expansion of the welfare state, job satisfaction aside. In any case, I suspect a deeper cultural element at work here that goes beyond the standard conservative/liberal tropes.
More on this here and here.
More on this here and here.