The Livability of Modernity

Long-term macro-social development involves both positive and negative effects on human happiness. Sociologists tend to emphasize the negative effects and turn a blind eye to data showing that the level of happiness has gone up during the proces of modernization while inequality of happiness has gone down. The latest trend data are presented and possible explanations for this positive development are explored. On that basis it is predicted that, in the future, ongoing societal modernization will also bring greater happiness for a greater number of humans.