Do imperialistic nations like Britain and the United States have unhappier citizens?
I don’t know about this, but there is a direct correlation between levels of social inequality and levels of unhappiness and social problems. Among developed nations, the US tops both the inequality tables, and the levels of social alienation, crime, drug-abuse, child-mortality, violence, obesity, and alcoholism. The UK is second. At the far end – bottom for both inequality and social problems – are the western European nations and Japan. No slack imperialists themselves, in their day.
I think it is an intriguing question, not really sure why no one on here feels the need to take it seriously – So easily offended by any possible assault to America’s “elite-hood”, if the only Americans you encountered were those on Y!A politics you’d think this was a fascist state. As for the actual question, yes that does seem feasible, it could have more to do with the actual mindset of the people. Think about it, the mindset is more along the lines of never quite being satisfied with what you have, but a constant need to expand, grow, gain more wealth, gain more territory, etc…Whereas happier nations like Sweden or France (or Canada or Australia as you mentioned) don’t really have a lot of emphasis on military development, great economic growth, etc – They’re content with moderation.
