A 2006 Pew Research poll found that 45 percent of Republicans describe themselves as "very happy," compared with only 30 percent of Democrats (and 29 percent of independents). This is a sizable gap and a remarkably consistent one, too. Republicans have been happier than Democrats every year since the General Social Survey, conducted biannually by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, began asking about happiness in 1972.
One explanation of this is that Republicans generally have a more pessimistic view of human nature than Democrats. Paradoxically, this means they are often pleasantly surprised by how well people and policies turn out. Democrats, on the other hand, tend to have a more optimistic view of human nature leading them to get frustrated by how far short their policies and plans fall from their intended ideal.
I wonder how libertarians would score here? My guess is they are preceived as being at least as unhappy as Democrats, if not more so. I think this plays a large role in why they have so much trouble getting their message out.
(HT Greg Mankiw)
No comments:
Post a Comment