Study: Extreme conservatives make happier people

TheHeretic

http://www.salon.com/2013/07/24/extreme_conservatives_are_happier_than_you_partner/

So I happened across a news story based on this Canadian study via a youtube vid yesterday and it got the mind ticking. The research would suggest that conservatives are generally happier than people of other social or political persuasions and I was trying to apply this to my own experience of society and personal circles to see how valid it might be.

Generally, with a little apprehension in some respects, I must say that I've found this to be more or less true from my experience and involvement with others.

It might sound stereotypical, but most conservative people, or you might say traditional, that I've known place great emphasis on family, being interested in them and their doings, helping them out, prizing participation with them and others. We all know those types of people; when family life runs well - 'All is right with the world', it's a source of pride, and when it's dysfunctional it's a source of shame. I'm not saying non-conservatives don't care about family, but it just seems that to conservatives family forms more of the bedrock of themselves and their society world-view.

Evolutionary, humans are naturally attuned to the group, to belonging and fitting in within their circle to accomplish great objectives together, and I think this gives most conservative minded people a sense of familiarity and security within themselves to allow them to be more content. 'Many hands lighten the load', and thus builds satisfaction.

I guess to boil it down, conservatives I've met tend to value association with others and respect traditions and order, whereas other political groupings, especially further left [no, I'm not attacking you] value 'going your own way' and forms of super-individuality. The problem with the latter is I've seen this go too far and become excessive, and in many cases it's actually led to a form of insecurity and dissatisfaction with the group they belong [such as Irish, European, age-group, community, school, job etc] and undervaluing their traditions and customs as a result. It makes them unhappier as they fit in less and are prone to searching for 'problems' that may or may not exist.

Not belonging or recognising the traditional or natural groupings of society actually ends up in a situation where a person questions everything, including the value of thier own self-worth, leading to unhappy straits.

Anyhow, what observations have you made on the topic similar to mine, dissimilar/other?

dd972

Political Conservatism over the last 30 odd years have led to the opposite of social cohesion, the ''**** you loser, me first'' mentality.

Grayson

dd972 wrote: »

Political Conservatism over the last 30 odd years have led to the opposite of social cohesion, the ''**** you loser, me first'' mentality.

yep. It all depends on your definition or version of conservatism. Personally I don't think half the nutjobs that rail against gay marriage and see anything progressive as evil are happier. But I can see that people who live a more conservative lifestyle are happier. To make it clear I see a conservative lifestyle as being a nuclear family with close friends. Thing is that stereo type could be applied to a gay couple too.

Guyanachronism

Ignorance is bliss.

Cody Pomeray

That's not a conventional interpretation of conservative v. progressive OP.

Conservatives tend to be associated with anti-social policies like opposition to income re/distribution, favour low government investment, and the protection of private property.

That's hardly a model of social cohesion and co-operation. It's a model that sees progress primarily in selfish acts.

kraggy

Cody Pomeray wrote: »

That's not a conventional interpretation of conservative v. progressive OP.

Conservatives tend to be associated with anti-social policies like opposition to income re/distribution, favour low government investment, and the protection of private property.

That's hardly a model of social cohesion and co-operation. It's a model that sees progress primarily in selfish acts.

That's economic conservatism. Conservatism can relate to either economical or social stances.

I'd be fairly conservative when it comes to the economy but I'm extremely socially liberal.

Social conservatives tend to be religious, anti abortion, anti homosexuality, anti immigration etc.

TheHeretic

dd972 wrote: »

Political Conservatism over the last 30 odd years have led to the opposite of social cohesion, the ''**** you loser, me first'' mentality.

But that mentality existed less pre-1960's and the counter-culture, no? At that time classical conservatism/liberalism and libertarianism had not died its horrible death.

I would see parties as the UK Tories, German Christian Democrats, FF, FG as very much neo-conservative/neo-liberal, in that they don't have much in common with the ideals of their fore-bearers. For example there are no longer any real distinctions between UK Labour and the Tories, FG and Labour [indeed they are in a coalition govt]. Politics has evolved to a point were all parties have amalgamated on the major issues, mass-politics has become the norm and the masses in general want the same thing due to popular influences. Why would any political party attempt something genuinely different only to be ridiculed?

On issues of abortion and gay marriage thr present parties may have slightly different views, but in world affairs, EU, energy policy, defense, geo-politics, economic theory, environment, trade and matters of vital importance, they are almost exactly the same, the same bland wash of neo-liberalism/neo-conservatism Kensyian capitalism & welfarism we've had for the last 60 years.

This isn't the 1950's political scene anymore, conservatism or classical liberalism aren't really represented anymore. What we have now are nothing more than hastily built parliamentary coalitions whose only interest to to keep a dying economy ticking.

We give them too much credit if we think they can adhere to an ethical and political meaning/perspective of 'conservative' or 'liberal'. They are utterly incapable.

BraziliaNZ

I was reading a study recently where they were saying that this form of mental masochism can bring about a kind of happiness. I.e. extreme conservatives can develop a mental outlook that sees any form of indulgence as disgusting or wicked. Sex, alcohol, etc.
It's the masochistic happiness of the anti-hedonist. The more frugal, austere and prohibitive life can be made the greater their happiness.
It makes twisted sense in a way.

ScumLord

Conservatives have less worries. Their view of the world is fairly simplified to "I'm right, I see no need to change, everyone else get used to my viewpoint".

When you don't have to worry about what other people are thinking or of how new things may interact with society (because new things are bad so shouldn't be allowed), then life is much simpler.

But their viewpoints put stress and anxiety onto other people which may skew the results slightly as they only seem higher compared to the other people the conservatives are making miserable.

TheHeretic

Cody Pomeray wrote: »

That's not a conventional interpretation of conservative v. progressive OP.

Conservatives tend to be associated with anti-social policies like opposition to income re/distribution, favour low government investment, and the protection of private property.

That's hardly a model of social cohesion and co-operation. It's a model that sees progress primarily in selfish acts.

Let's be fair, the selfishness we've seen in the past decade or two in this country occurred at a time when political conservatism was/is at it's lowest in decades. A conservative government wouldn't have socailized private debts which would go on burden the people and economy. It's against their economic principles. That can't be described as selfish.

Anyway, we're getting of topic!

TheHeretic

Guyanachronism wrote: »

Ignorance is bliss.

Are you suggesting that all conservatives are ignorant? That's ignorance in itself.

Cody Pomeray

kraggy wrote: »

I'd be fairly conservative when it comes to the economy but I'm extremely socially liberal

I'd avoid using terms like "liberal", because it can apply to conservatives or progressives.

The OP spoke about "many hands lighten the load" mentality. That is not a typical mentality of either social or economic conservatives, which can be summed up by

"The load is as light as the market dictates" and
"Stay away from my load. This is my private property you c*nt".

Finton90

Yeah conservative is probably the wrong choice of word, instead I would say that people who live a traditional lifestyle are happier in general. Nowadays, the traditional way is associated with rural living and the individualist with city living, although not always the case. As someone from the country but having lived in various cities at home and abroad I would say that country people are happier.

The tightness of communities means that imo country folk have more real friendships than urban folk and it is strong human relationships more so than anything than is the basis of happiness.

Christ the Redeemer

They say ignorance is bliss, after all.

TheHeretic

Finton90 wrote: »

Yeah conservative is probably the wrong choice of word, instead I would say that people who live a traditional lifestyle are happier in general. Nowadays, the traditional way is associated with rural living and the individualist with city living, although not always the case. As someone from the country but having lived in various cities at home and abroad I would say that country people are happier.

The tightness of communities means that imo country folk have more real friendships than urban folk and it is strong human relationships more so than anything than is the basis of happiness.

Yes, this is more of what I was getting at, the traditional aspect. I think that since the article/study is Canadian, it's more normal for them to call this 'conservative'. To us that's more of a political attitude.

Christ the Redeemer

Also, I hate that the Yank binary political stance bull**** is bleeding into European politics.

They are destroying their country because of this crap. let's not follow them down that road.

ScumLord

Finton90 wrote: »

Yeah conservative is probably the wrong choice of word, instead I would say that people who live a traditional lifestyle are happier in general. Nowadays, the traditional way is associated with rural living and the individualist with city living, although not always the case. As someone from the country but having lived in various cities at home and abroad I would say that country people are happier.

The tightness of communities means that imo country folk have more real friendships than urban folk and it is strong human relationships more so than anything than is the basis of happiness.

That's different. Being part of a family unit is a small community is basically how humans have lived for as long as they've been humans. We're still coming to terms with living in over stimulating cities, over crowding is the main problem with cities but is also it's greatest advantage.

woodoo

Liberals and leftists are uptight grouches.

rossie1977

if extreme conservatives are happy people then i guy the happiest places on earth are Saudi Arabia and yemen

TheHeretic

rossie1977 wrote: »

if extreme conservatives are happy people then i guy the happiest places on earth are Saudi Arabia and yemen

The ideology of Salafist Islamic fundamentalism is hardly the same thing as a Western social or political conservative?

brundle_fly

define extreme conservative , I imagine their are about six in all of Ireland

Femme_Fatale

Depends on the type of extreme conservative - I'd say it applies all right to the well meaning Ned Flanders type.

woodoo wrote: »

Liberals and leftists are uptight grouches.

Be more specific. I'd agree with you when it comes to people who are die-hard left-wing and can't even handle the merest hint of the politically incorrect, but people who are left of centre are just moderate in their thinking.

brundle_fly

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Depends on the type of extreme conservative - I'd say it applies all right to the well meaning Ned Flanders type.

Be more specific. I'd agree with you when it comes to people who are die-hard left-wing and can't even handle the merest hint of the politically incorrect, but people who are left of centre are just moderate in their thinking.

most people in Ireland are left of centre in their thinking so I agree

the media in Ireland and the academic class are firmly on the left however , hence the pious , preachy , pc tone we are bombarded with

Femme_Fatale

brundle_fly wrote: »

most people in Ireland are left of centre in their thinking

Most of the younger generations perhaps; not sure about those aged 55+. Urban v rural would be an important factor too I'd say.

the media in Ireland and the academic class are firmly on the left however , hence the pious , preachy , pc tone we are bombarded with

Academics definitely - don't know about the media overall, especially print.

Mike 1972

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/neonazi-italian-gp-had-bust-of-hitler-in-library-8734393.html

in other news there is a bit of a rumpus in Italy about a doctor having a bust of Hitlet in his office.

brundle_fly

Femme_Fatale wrote: »

Most of the younger generations perhaps; not sure about those aged 55+.

Academics definitely - don't know about the media overall, especially print.

perhaps not socially but the over 55,s firmly expect the state to look after them , very different attitude to retirement protection etc in the likes of America , most people in Ireland are very statist in outlook

the main party of government going back the decades in Ireland were firmly centre left economically while of course being socially conservative , this is no surprise , Ireland was a deeply catholic country and classic Catholicism is on the left economically

KyussBishop

Not surprising - it's like religion: Thinking you have simple appealing answers to everything (when the world is really a lot more complicated than that) will naturally be more reassuring, and that's what a lot of conservatism is about (both economically and socially).

ScumLord wrote: »

Conservatives have less worries. Their view of the world is fairly simplified to "I'm right, I see no need to change, everyone else get used to my viewpoint".

When you don't have to worry about what other people are thinking or of how new things may interact with society (because new things are bad so shouldn't be allowed), then life is much simpler.

But their viewpoints put stress and anxiety onto other people which may skew the results slightly as they only seem higher compared to the other people the conservatives are making miserable.

That nails it pretty well - probably better than much else I've read over time.

Among all conservatives (economic and social), there is the common trend of ignoring the harm that what they advocate, will impose on other (generally less well off) people, and there is no answer they have for this whatsoever, it is usually just consciously ignored entirely, in a disingenuous "well that can't be helped..." shrug-of-shoulders kind of way (even in face of alternatives which resolve those issues, but conflict with their conservatism).

Hande hoche!

Probably explains why Glenn Beck is such a happy and relaxed individual.

conorhal

ScumLord wrote: »

Conservatives have less worries. Their view of the world is fairly simplified to "I'm right, I see no need to change, everyone else get used to my viewpoint".

When you don't have to worry about what other people are thinking or of how new things may interact with society (because new things are bad so shouldn't be allowed), then life is much simpler.

But their viewpoints put stress and anxiety onto other people which may skew the results slightly as they only seem higher compared to the other people the conservatives are making miserable.

Funny, that sound an awful lot like the ideological left to me, the Ivana Bacik's and Aidan O' Riordan's of the world.

The truth is that the hard left and libertarian right are two cheeks of the same arse, they both promote the worst kind of agressive, narsistic individualism but simply disagree on how to achieve it.
Just as classical conservatives see all change as bad, the marxist left see all change as good regardless of wether it actually is or not, you only have to look at the lefts pavlovian reaction to the arab spring, 'revolution' is good. Neither side really consider any impact of chane. That would be where classical conservatives tend to differ, in the consideration of the broader impact of change, not just 'is it good for me?' but also, is it broadly good for the cohesion of society in general.

conorhal

KyussBishop wrote: »

Not surprising - it's like religion: Thinking you have simple appealing answers to everything (when the world is really a lot more complicated than that) will naturally be more reassuring, and that's what a lot of conservatism is about (both economically and socially).


That nails it pretty well - probably better than much else I've read over time.

Among all conservatives (economic and social), there is the common trend of ignoring the harm that what they advocate, will impose on other (generally less well off) people, and there is no answer they have for this whatsoever, it is usually just consciously ignored entirely, in a disingenuous "well that can't be helped..." shrug-of-shoulders kind of way (even in face of alternatives which resolve those issues, but conflict with their conservatism).

Again, sounds no different to the ideological marxists either. At the extreme of most politics the arguments against the 'other side', (a bit like your post) get pretty reductive, where as most people in the middle generally don't suffer from that kind of tunnel vision and are capable of broadly assessing the nuances of a position.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

True conservatives, in my opinoin, tend to be the most insecure, paranoid, hate-filled, selfish, angry people I've ever met.

Not happy, though.