Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/75475 
Year of Publication: 
2000
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 246
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
A cross-regional econometric analysis suggests that institutional factors in the form of direct democracy (via initiatives and referenda) and of federal structure (local autonomy) systematically and sizeably raise s elf-reported individual well-being. This positive effect can be attributed to political outcomes closer to voters' preferences, as well as to the procedural utility of political participation. Moreover, the results of standard microeconometric well-bein g functions previously published for other countries are generally supported. Unemployment has a strongly depressing effect on happiness. A higher income level raises happiness, however, only to a small extent.
Subjects: 
Subjective well-being
institutions
direct democracy
unemployment
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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