[Column] Happiness and its discontents

Posted on : 2006-08-12 12:46 KST Modified on : 2006-08-12 12:46 KST

Kwak Byoung Chan, editorial writer for The Hankyoreh

Two indices relating to societal happiness were published last month. They were the Happy Planet Index of the New Economic Foundation, a British think tank, as well as the World Map of Happiness, tabulated by Leicester University Professor Adrian White. Unfortunate though it is, South Korea ranked as being the 102nd happiest nation in both indices. Though our economic scale ranks as being the 11th in the world, our level of happiness is literally in the doldrums.

The two indices adopt different techniques of computation. The NEF index focuses more on such objective factors as lifespan and income in determining the level of satisfaction of a nation. Though impoverished, the optimism-filled nations of Central and South America take up an astounding 8 of the 10 top slots, while the most prominent of the G7 nations, including the U.S., France, and Britain found themselves consigned to the lower tiers. Professor White’s World Map of Happiness coupled measurements of health, income, and education with environmental factors. Thus, nations suffering from severe environmental destruction and a high level of energy consumption received low scores. Western European nations such as Denmark, Switzerland, and Austria occupied the top ranks, and, severely impoverished though it is, with an average annual income of $US1,500, Bhutan came in at 8th place. South Korea, on the other hand, took a body slam.

Economist Paul Samuelson devised the formula, "happiness equals consumption divided by desire." British occupational psychologist Carol Rothwell and life coach Peter Cohen fleshed this idea out a bit more. They proposed that happiness is determined by one’s outlook on life, resilience, and adaptability ; health, money, and friends , and finally, one’s sense of humor, ambition and self-esteem . are rated five times more heavily than , and carries three times as much weight as . In other words, happiness’ derivation is 5 percent individual traits, 25 percent conditions for survival, and 70 percent sense of humor, ambitions and self-esteem.

Referencing such scholarship, British scholar Richard Layard diagnosed England’s depression as resulting from a government obsessed with market ideology, pushing its people into limitless competition. The consequence of this is stress, and many falling behind their fellow countrymen. Thus, the British government disburses a disability allowance of some 15 trillion won ($US15 billion) per year to people suffering from psychological illnesses such as depression. Mr. Layard recommends for the sake of national spirits that public financing be expanded, cities be redesigned to be more people-friendly, and that social unity and integration be restored. The Labour Party’s policies are a reflection of this perspective. The Labour Party even went so far as to declare that the government must regulate actions that would lower national spirits.

With the highest rate of accident fatalities (including those caused through traffic accidents), the highest rate of divorce, and a suicide rate that struggles for top honors among OECD nations, perhaps it is wholly illogical for South Korea to even try to even speak of something such as happiness. After all, in a society where the young descend into the depths of college entrance exam hell, where young adults fight tooth and nail for a job, and where adults spare no effort to try not to fall behind their neighbors, how could one dare speak of happiness?

By now it is an old story, our surpassing of the British in suffering from the maladies of living in a developed nation. Layard emphasized that the government must concretely set forth a vision of optimism and hope. Yet our government persists in its propulsion of the identity-confused left wing neo-liberalism, and even the former supporters of those in power have tumbled into the nadir of despair. Meanwhile, conservative political institutions and the right-wing media have germinated and spread the virus of dissatisfaction in their quest for power. It is particularly these forces, through their hammering on old woes and their pessimistic outlook, that have made ours a nation of whiners. On one side, there are those who incite desires and expectations, and on the other side are those who promote competition from the cradle to the grave. A scheme such as this can only serve to perpetuate discontent.

It is scorching hot. At the tail end of the rainy season, which brought widespread flooding, the level of discomfort has reached its apex and is now set to subside. At least I hope for as much, as I rub my tired eyes in the dawn following another sleepless tropical night. What are we to do? Let’s start with this: instead of a stream of grouchy remarks, say a few pleasantries instead. Tomorrow, try a "good morning."


This column was translated by Daniel Rakove.