As happiness researchers, we urge President Putin to end this war

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We expect a strong decline of happiness for the Russian population if the war in Ukraine continues (AFP via Getty)

President Biden calls his fellow leader from Russia a “war criminal” and a “butcher”, but any psychologist would advise finding common ground instead. The east and west have common interest in the subjective wellbeing of the Russian population. As happiness researchers, we urge President Putin to consider the following.

We expect a strong decline of happiness for the Russian population if the war in Ukraine continues, for the following reasons. Russian happiness will decline when the material standard of living falls as a result of international sanctions and the cost of war. It will also decline when the war results in further restrictions on freedom in the country.

A military victory will not offer a remedy, since national pride does not increase happiness very much, while the likely continuation in the form of a civil war, with guerrilla tactics and terrorism, will certainly decrease Russian happiness.

A restoration of the Russian empire will not add to happiness either because people live more happily in smaller countries. On the ranking of average happiness in nations, the US ranks 46th, below most western nations, while China (60th) and Russia (101th) rank below the world average. Enlarging Russia will not result in happier Russians.

The decline in Russian happiness will also have indirect consequences. Economic recovery will be delayed, as unhappiness lowers performance at work. Russians will also live shorter lives, as unhappy people die earlier.

The current political order will be contested since unhappy people are less supportive and more often break rules. Decline of happiness in the population sets the scene for political protest, as was the case in the Arab Spring.

We expect no decline in average happiness in the European Union, but foresee a pause in the rising trend. Happiness-wise, war is a losing game; even if you are on the side with the best arms.

Happiness may not be everything, but should not be ignored.

Professor Dr Ruut Veenhoven

Erasmus Happiness Economics Research Organisation, Netherlands

Dr Ad Bergsma

Saxion University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands

The Nasty Party

If we had any doubts that the Tory party is still the “Nasty Party”, we only have to look at last night’s Conservative Party dinner for evidence that it’s alive and kicking.

Firstly, we had Gyles Brandreth, staunch Tory supporter, ex-MP and whip, making distasteful jokes about funeral planning, having just passed a protest by people who lost loved ones in the pandemic. Then we had the prime minister cracking jokes about a persecuted minority, the trans community.

Completely tone deaf and absolutely disgraceful. I hope all those decent members of the Tory party who were present hung their heads in shame.

Nigel Groom

Witham, Essex

Political fluff

I read your editorial on Partygate with interest and agreement, and I would just say one thing to Jacob Rees-Mogg, that this “political fluff” has been found out to not be so trivial after all.

Partridges have definitely come home to roost – in the Downing Street garden.

Judith A Daniels

Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

High-tech solutions

It seems somewhat ironic that Jacob Rees-Mogg is in charge of the high tech solutions which will make our border “the best in the world”.

The man who would have us revert to imperial measurements and no doubt insist all government bills be written in Latin.

G Forward

Stirling

Brexit zealots

Many Conservative politicians and supporters were of the opinion that if they agreed to a referendum on leaving the EU then, win or lose, those Ukip-types would go away and the real party of the right could go on ruling.

As we are now only too aware, they are not going to go anywhere and the Brexit zealots have changed tack to climate change denial and every shade leading up to it.

Vince Cable was very diplomatic in his article, but essentially he points out that this is the latest injurious cause to befall our nation. If “proper” politicians fall for this one, then fast on its heels they will champion another crackpot cause. The return of the death penalty, perhaps, or the restoration of family values – a euphemism for curtailment of women’s rights, including stricter abortion rules and payments on a sliding scale to have more children if one stays at home.

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They have a small army of supporters and plenty of minor celebrities and crank commentators to assist them, all of whom bizarrely strike a chord with some voters.

Unless the Conservative Party want to morph into a party of reaction, then they must grow a backbone and stand up to these unelected rabble-rousers.

Robert Boston

Kingshill, Kent

No choice

Something very serious has happened in British politics. Britain has become a one-party state.

The people no longer have a choice. There is now just one Conservative manifesto. The basic arguments in parliament between Labour and Conservative are simply confined to who can carry out this specific political programme most efficiently.

Labour, Conservative and Lib Dems have now coagulated into one grand political party. The squabblings at PMQs are internecine rather than over serious philosophical differences.

Unless and until we have a proper Labour Party representing its traditional interests and beliefs, I see no point in voting at the next general election.

David Lee

Kingston upon Thames