Prof. Lyles: Finland is the World's Happiest Nation Because They Work at It
August 16, 2022
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Alan Lyles, the Henry A. Rosenberg Professor of Government, Business, and Nonprofit Partnerships in The University of Baltimore's College of Public Affairs, recently returned from a Fulbright Specialist trip to Finland, where he worked on reforms to integrate that country's health, social welfare, and rescue services. While there, he writes in The National Interest, he learned why the country ranks consistently at our near the top of the World Happiness Report—a global survey of how people evaluate their own lives. While the United States lags on this scale, he says Finns are determined to find fulfillment.
"Finland's national character begins with 'sisu,' or 'grit'—a particular type of determination mixed with a hardened willingness to confront and overcome grueling and even risky conditions," Prof. Lyles writes. "Attacked by Russia in the 1939 Winter War, Finnish farmers and other ordinary people fought against a much larger invading army with disciplined ferocity, bravery, strategic brilliance, and honor. A generation of Finnish youths died. Their sacrifice remains fresh, as does the Finnish commitment to independence."
This democratic nation "has a constitution built on universal healthcare, equity in social welfare, and education extending through university. Social cohesion is a part of everyday life."
Finland is not an easy place for Americans to label one thing or another, he says.
"The Left mistakes it for a social paradise, while the Right ignores the strong work ethic that sustains the nation. Mostly, in the United States, we don’t think about it—until the annual 'World Happiness Rankings' are released. Then some may wonder what Finland is doing 'better' than us."
But, Lyles explains, there is no secret to it. It's a matter of hard work and high expectations.
"The United States most recently ranked nineteenth in World Happiness," he writes. "This is not our destiny. We have met and overcome demanding challenges throughout our history. If we apply the lessons from Finland, we can do it again. These lessons are simple but not easy: happiness takes work, compromise, trust, and sisu. Especially sisu."
Read the article in The National Interest.
Learn more about Prof. Lyles.