Finland is often rated high among the happiest places to live. Makes you wonder if there may be some correlation between the two.
I’ve always believed that trust in the executive is the main key to a happy society. As it is pointed out in this article the Finns trust that the local authorities and the government will use their taxes for the benefit of all and that of course includes the taxpayer himself, and therefore the trust is established as a given. Trust and honesty go hand in hand with happiness, the executive provides good quality health care, education and welfare for the citizen in exchange for high taxation, but this in fact makes them feel secure In the belief that all citizens benefit equally. In Finland there is less inequality between richest and poorest and between the sexes, that too helps to contribute to their happiness quotient. There seems little reason in these circumstances to be dishonest because trust is demonstrably shown by the entire society from top to bottom.