ABSTRACT

Using data from the World Values Survey, this book sheds light on the link between happiness and the social group to which one belongs. The work is based on a rigorous statistical analysis of differences in the probability of happiness and life satisfaction between the predominant social group and subordinate groups.

The cases of India and South Africa receive deep attention in dedicated chapters on cast and race, with other chapters considering issues such as cultural bias, religion, patriarchy, and gender. An additional chapter offers a global perspective. On top of this, the longitudinal nature of the data facilitates an examination of how world happiness has evolved between 1994 and 2014.

This book will be a valuable reference for advanced students, scholars and policymakers involved in development economics, well-being, development geography, and sociology.

chapter 1|8 pages

Prologue

chapter 2|35 pages

Subjective well-being

Happiness and life satisfaction in India and South Africa

chapter 3|34 pages

Mental health

Depression, anxiety, and anger in the US

chapter 4|32 pages

Domestic violence

Emotional and physical abuse of wives in India

chapter 5|29 pages

Racial bias in policing

Police stop-and-searches in England and Wales

chapter 6|50 pages

Prejudice

Xenophobia, homophobia, and patriarchy in the world

chapter 7|2 pages

Epilogue