Happiness and Radicalization

Ioannis Petrakis

doi:10.2139/ssrn.5168425

Happiness and Radicalization

Ioannis Petrakis^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Working paper

9 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

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

Original language	English
Place of Publication	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Publisher	Elsevier
Pages	1-46
Number of pages	46
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5168425
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 7 Mar 2025

Keywords

Radicalisation
Well-being
Economic development
Preference falsification

Access to Document

10.2139/ssrn.5168425

ssrn-5168425Submitted manuscript, 968 KB

Cite this

@techreport{439cdcb732a349e381585055e9c0525c,

title = "Happiness and Radicalization",

abstract = "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",

keywords = "Radicalisation, Well-being, Economic development, Preference falsification",

author = "Ioannis Petrakis",

year = "2025",

month = mar,

day = "7",

doi = "10.2139/ssrn.5168425",

language = "English",

pages = "1--46",

publisher = "Elsevier",

address = "Netherlands",

type = "WorkingPaper",

institution = "Elsevier",

}

TY - UNPB

T1 - Happiness and Radicalization

AU - Petrakis, Ioannis

PY - 2025/3/7

Y1 - 2025/3/7

N2 - 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

AB - 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

KW - Radicalisation

KW - Well-being

KW - Economic development

KW - Preference falsification

U2 - 10.2139/ssrn.5168425

DO - 10.2139/ssrn.5168425

M3 - Working paper

SP - 1

EP - 46

BT - Happiness and Radicalization

PB - Elsevier

CY - Amsterdam, Netherlands

ER -