NationStates Jolt Archive

I notice there is a happiness rating that runs the same criteria for all nations. This is certainly odd, especially since the more restrictive nations are happier. Happiness is a cultural issue, and unlike what the rating seems to imply, not every population is happier when the government nannies them. I have never met someone who was happier as their taxes grew higher. Now if the system refers to the nonworking people, then specify. "Happiest Unemployed" should work. That is my idea/suggestion. Take away the happiness rating, or alter it to fit the criteria that appears to be used.
-Murb

Question: What "happiness rating"? I just checked my nation page, and I don't see any such rating.

Question: What "happiness rating"? I just checked my nation page, and I don't see any such rating.

I believe he means the daily ratings with a variety of topics, one of which being 'happiest citizens'.

I notice there is a happiness rating that runs the same criteria for all nations. This is certainly odd, especially since the more restrictive nations are happier. Happiness is a cultural issue, and unlike what the rating seems to imply, not every population is happier when the government nannies them. I have never met someone who was happier as their taxes grew higher. Now if the system refers to the nonworking people, then specify. "Happiest Unemployed" should work. That is my idea/suggestion. Take away the happiness rating, or alter it to fit the criteria that appears to be used.
-Murb

The only answer I can offer is that the citizens in restrictive nations would know no other happiness than their government allows. The lack of freedoms could also mean that if the rating was done on asking the citizens, they would answer 'yes' to avoid persecution. What do you think anyone?

Aha! So you mean the UN reports? As in "Most Corrupt Government" and the like?

Bear in mind that there are people who enjoy being oppressed. A very small minorty, granted, but they do exist. They're generally the people who dislike having to make any sort of decision, or are extreme nationalists.

Elvenkind could be right, too.

There's also the possibility that the people are oppressed in the style of nineteen-eighty-four, where they don't really think about anything else.

Happiness is not a straightforward rating, but I don't think that it actually depends on how "opressive" your government is.