Global Happiness

An authoritative, comprehensive, and highly accessible assessment of the happiest and least happy countries and cities in the world, as well as of the happiest and least happy cities and states in the United States. Which are the happiest countries in the world and which nations are the least contented? Which cities in the world are considered the happiest and unhappiest? Which American cities and states are at the top of the list and which ones rank poorly? Presenting findings that are based on solid data and authoritative information, this book offers a bold take on the geography of happiness around the world—and presents results that are often unexpected. It enables readers to make informed cross-cultural comparisons between countries and world cities, and uniquely synthesizes global information in a way that allows us answer the important question: "What makes us happy?" A book like no other, Global Happiness: A Guide to the Most Contented (and Discontented) Places around the Globe tackles the complex equation of determining what places offer the happiest living experiences by considering quality of life, prospects for the future, social relations, confidence in good government, and many other factors that together constitute critical differences in living experience. The author—a professor of geography and urban studies as well as a world traveler—also takes into account the current events, politics, and environmental situations of specific regions, states, and cities, and considers what residents of the cities and countries say about their own places to derive accurate and fair assessments.

The World Happiness Report reviews levels of happiness across developed and developing nations, and presents ranking tables on national and regional happiness.

Understudied relative to other forms of intentional community, and under-recognized in policy-making circles, urban cohousing communities situate wellbeing as simultaneously social and subjective, while catering for groups of people so diverse in age. Collaborative Happiness looks at two such urban cohousing communities: Kankanmori, in Tokyo; and Quayside Village, in Vancouver. In expanding beyond mainstream approaches to happiness focused exclusively on the individual, Quayside Village and Kankanmori provide an alternative model for how to understand and practice the good life in an increasingly urbanized world marked by crisis of both social and environmental sustainability.

A fun, illustrated guide that takes us around the world, discovering the secrets to happiness. Author Helen Russell (The Year of Living Danishly) uncovers the fascinating ways that different nations search for happiness in their lives, and what they can teach us about our own quest for meaning. This charming and diverse assortment of advice, history, and philosophies includes: Sobremesa from Spain Turangawaewae from New Zealand Azart from Russia Tarab from Syria joie de vivre from Canada and many more.

"The knowledge and wisdom of 100 happiness professors from around the world. " It may be surprising to learn the amount of scientific research conducted on happiness and that there is a World Database of Happiness, a cumulative and continuous register of that research. In fact, the United States ranks higher than average in happiness, though not as high as the Nordic countries, including the happiest of nations, Denmark. So perhaps there is a lot to be learned about happiness and how to achieve it. "The World Book of Happiness" is a fascinating compilation of brief essays by 100 of the most prominent experts in positive psychology working in 50 countries. Writing from their own areas of expertise in language free of academic jargon, the contributors examine the principles of happiness, also known as subjective well-being, and how to achieve it. These expert recommendations are shown as "keys" to happiness. The book reveals many paths to happiness. From the founder of positive psychology, it is "other people matter." From Germany it is "pride, modesty and gratitude." In Malaysia it is "nourish the soul," and in Austria "fitness, friends and fun" bring happiness. And in Denmark, home to the happiest: "Believe in yourself." But what, too, of genetics, geography and health? The experts also consider these factors and recommend keys to happiness that address what we think we cannot control. Positive psychology may not be widely known, but the desire to be happy is universal. By transforming information into knowledge and knowledge into wisdom, "The World Book of Happiness" brings readers a hopeful and practical guide to that elusive state of being.

Happiness in World History traces ideas and experiences of happiness from early stages in human history, to the maturation of agricultural societies and their religious and philosophical systems, to the changes and diversities in the approach to happiness in the modern societies that began to emerge in the 18th century. In this thorough overview, Peter N. Stearns explores the interaction between psychological and historical findings about happiness, the relationship between ideas and popular experience, and the opportunity to use historical analysis to assess strengths and weaknesses of dominant contemporary notions of happiness. Starting with the advent of agriculture, the book assesses major transitions in history for patterns in happiness, including the impact of the great religions, the unprecedented Enlightenment interest in secular happiness and cheerfulness, and industrialization and imperialism. The final, contemporary section covers fascist and communist efforts to define alternatives to Western ideas of happiness, the increasing connections with consumerism, and growing global interests in defining and promoting well-being. Touching on the experiences in the major regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and North America, the text offers an expansive introduction to a new field of study. This book will be of interest to students of world history and the history of emotions.

This encyclopedia provides an authoritative guide intended for students of all levels of studies, offering multidisciplinary insight and analysis of over 500 headwords covering the main concepts of Security and Non-traditional Security, and their relation to other scholarly fields and aspects of real-world issues in the contemporary geopolitical world.

“How are behavioral scientists increasingly involved to advise global decision-makers in the United Nations and elsewhere?” In 2020, the Psychology Coalition at the United Nations (PCUN) launched a bold new series of books, describing how evidence- based behavioral research is increasingly used by United Nations and other decision-makers, to address global issues. These issues reflect the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030—such as health, poverty, education, peace, gender equality, and climate change. This PCUN volume brings together 34 experts in 14 concise chapters, to focus on diverse issues in mental, spiritual, and social health (detailed below). The chapters are co-authored by leading global experts as well as “rising star” students from many nations--offering readers a concise overview of each topic, a glossary of key terms, study questions, and bibliography. This volume is suitable as a textbook for diverse courses in psychology, social work, cross-cultural and international studies. ENDORSEMENTS: “Behavioral Science in the Global Arena” is a milestone in the forging of a global psychologist mental health network, able to offer the United Nations solutions to its quest.” — Niels Peter Rygaard, CEO at www.fairstartfoundation.com, and recipient of the 2020 APA International Humanitarian Award “This volume provides students and professionals committed to international work insights on theoretical frameworks, policy implications and best practices using evidence-based approaches.” — Barbara W. Shank, Dean and Professor Emerita, University of St. Thomas and Secretary, International Association of Schools of Social Work