The Independent (U.K.) has a story on that U.N. survey of which are the happy countries. It found the top five were Switzerland, followed by Iceland, Denmark, Norway, and Canada.
None are former colonial powers, none have extensive overseas commitments, all are relatively corruption-free, democratic, and enjoy thriving private-sector economies. Three share a generalized Scandinavian culture.
Of the five, only the Swiss put serious effort into national defense, and theirs is a mountain redoubt, porcupine-style strategy. The other four cynically rely on the U.S. to defend them, at little cost to themselves.
Most or all of these top five happiest countries are living the life Sen. Rand Paul would like for the U.S., free of foreign commitments. Libertarian delights, all but the Swiss. "Ze are more Germanic und exacting, ja?" I hear the police chief from Young Frankenstein shouting as he attempts to control his wooden arm.
