Asymmetric effects of democracy and macroeconomic factors on happiness under high and low per capita incomes: A threshold panel analysis

Impact of episodes of regime transformation on subjective well-being: A panel event study

“…Therefore, democratization and autocratization processes interact with psychological, social, institutional, and economic factors in determining SWB. In addition, the quality of the process of participation and deliberation, which lies at the heart of democracy, might be more important for mental health outcomes than the mere adoption of a democratic system (Kundu et al, 2024;Liu et al, 2023). Findings from citizenship education interventions highlight that the quality of participation is an important ingredient in positive outcomes (Albanesi et al, 2023;Prati et al, 2020).…”

“…The idea that psychological well-being is strongly associated with democracy is well established in the Western culture (Bernhard, 2024;Dutt & Radcliff, 2009;Inglehart, 1988Inglehart, , 1990Kavetsos et al, 2021;Kundu et al, 2024;Liu et al, 2023;Radcliff, 2001;Toshkov & Mazepus, 2022). However, while there is indeed some evidence of an association between democracy and well-being (e.g., Dorn et al, 2007;Inglehart et al, 2008;Inglehart & Klingemann, 2000;Owen et al, 2008), the magnitude of this relationship is small or even negligible when controlling for covariates (Prati, 2022a).…”

“…However, while there is indeed some evidence of an association between democracy and well-being (e.g., Dorn et al, 2007;Inglehart et al, 2008;Inglehart & Klingemann, 2000;Owen et al, 2008), the magnitude of this relationship is small or even negligible when controlling for covariates (Prati, 2022a). The direction of this relationship is a question to which the literature still struggles to find a definitive answer (e.g., Bernhard, 2024;Bjørnskov, 2003;Dorn et al, 2008;Inglehart et al, 2008;Inglehart & Klingemann, 2000;Kundu et al, 2024;Prati, 2022aPrati, , 2023Schyns, 1998;Toshkov & Mazepus, 2022;Veenhoven, 2000). Nevertheless, liberal democracies are characterized by features that are thought to be conducive to well-being, such as a wide range of free choice, equal protection of civil rights, human rights, freedom of expression, and civil liberties (Dorn et al, 2007;Frey & Stutzer, 2002;Inglehart, 1988;Inglehart et al, 2008;Mishchuk et al, 2019).…”