What are we missing to be the happiest nation in the world? A little bit of common sense.

Frédéric Bastiat
Complete Works, Volume 7, pages 426 to 427 (in French)
October 25th, 1848

Added to today’s quote is a comment that says “it seems to be little to ask for”. Once more, Frédéric Bastiat proved to be an excellent analyst through this quote but he pushed his luck once more with his optimism. Unfortunately, it was not little to ask for because the required common sense is still wanting by the French nation and, while it was so close to happiness in the 19th century, constructivism has only grown bigger, pushing it further down the league table of countries where happiness is closest to reach.

Don’t get me wrong: France has grown considerably richer since 1848 and progress has touched a vast majority of its citizens. I do not wish for anybody to find himself back in this era. However, the evolution of freedom and the miracles it produces has been below Frédéric Bastiat’s expectations and other countries have been more successful on that count at various times since. As of today, I do not really see which country could be considered to be on the right path with the exception maybe of Argentina. However, this country is starting from so far back that the road will be rough, hoping that it does not end at the edge of a cliff.