Happiness and Radicalization

We explore the complex relationship between happiness and radicalization using data from the 7th wave of the World Values Survey across 66 countries. We introduce a novel conceptualization of happiness, distinguishing between satisfaction and feelings of happiness, and a new definition of radicalization, focusing on indicators like prejudice, extreme political positioning, and erosion of trust. Our findings show that happiness significantly reduces radicalization dynamics, with economic development moderating this relationship. Causal mediation analysis indicates that economic development strengthens the moderation effect, amplifying the negative association between happiness and radicalization by nearly doubling it. Subgroup analysis reveals the strongest negative associations in North America, Europe, and Central Asia, among high-income earners, and those over 50 years old. Additionally, higher welfare levels amplify the negative effects of preference falsification on extremism