“I Think Competition is Better Than You Do: Does It Make Me Happier?” Evidence from the World Value Surveys

Abstract

Drawing on individual data from the World Values Surveys, this paper estimates the relation between individual feelings about competition and self-reported happiness. People who think competition is good are associated to the same (high) level of happiness as do people who think competition is harmful. This finding is different than and complements previous research which shows a positive or negative relation between competition and well-being. The paper improves over previous research in that it approximates competitive environment by using individual-level measures. The paper also considers how gender and cultural traits affect the relation between competition and happiness. A significant effect of culture is found.