Empirical Analysis of the Relationship Between Military Endeavor, Economic Growth and Happiness (original) (raw)

We study the relationship between happiness, economic growth and military endeavor. A distinction is drawn between the direct and the indirect impact of military endeavor on happiness which operates through the impact of military endeavor on income and the impact of income on happiness. Using panel data analysis for 45 countries covering the period from 2000 to 2013, direct and indirect impacts of military endeavor on happiness are estimated. Our results show that the military endeavor has a positive direct impact on happiness. Indirect effects are found to be positive, the total effect of military endeavor on happiness is positive.