ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the theoretical framework and reviews the relevant literature, followed by an analysis of the empirical data by exploring how perceptions and institutions, interactions with people, as well as autonomy and feelings of having found new meaning in life, all impact on levels of happiness. Academic studies on green parties in general address party characteristics, transformation over time, and issues of success and survival as an organization, but there are no studies that relate to participation, happiness and younger members. The institutional impact on subjective feelings of happiness regarding political activism is evident on two levels: institutions outside the party, such as the electoral system, formal and informal institutional rules in decision-making processes within assemblies at both national and local levels; as well as structures within the party. The chapter focuses on the former by asking in what sense political participation can contribute to subjective well-being.
