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The little free time people have is spent on social media, and that just leads to total alienation. Maybe it’s got to do with the culture, less ambition, more laziness. It’s true that Americans work more, and maybe that keeps people more alert to these things. I don’t know, I’m just guessing, but there’s probably a study on this! Haha
The little free time people have is spent on social media, and that just leads to total alienation.
THAT I definitely subscribe too... it's not so much that we don't have time, it's that we waste it away frivalously on mind-numbingly stupid things
It’s hard to imagine being worse than Americans on that.
You make it sound like Europeans are a thoroughly defeated people
That sounds like something an American would say. Your context is more like a jungle! ~lol
In a quick search, I found a few factors:
Social Welfare Systems: Many European countries, especially the Nordic ones (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, etc.), have strong social welfare systems that provide a safety net for citizens, regardless of economic performance.
Life Philosophy and Satisfaction: There’s this idea that many European societies value quality of life more than constant economic growth.
Focus on Sustainable Prosperity: In European countries, there’s a more long-term approach to prosperity and sustainability, rather than quick growth driven by consumption.
Differences in Measuring Well-Being: Studies show that people in different parts of Europe might measure success and well-being differently from Americans.
History of Stability and Political Culture: Many European countries have a long history of political stability and governance, which can lead to greater trust in the system, even if the economic performance isn’t extraordinary.
Less Pressure for Constant Growth: Compared to younger, emerging economies, many European countries have well-established infrastructure and an aging population, so there’s not as much pressure to drive growth at super high rates.
European societies value quality of life more than constant economic growth
This isn't really a meaningful statement. At best, it's probably suggesting that economic growth is being measured poorly.
Should leisure be counted in economic growth statistics?
I would think so, but I don't know if anyone has a great way of properly measuring it.
In the abstract, we're trying to measure the amount of human wants that are being met.
more than Europooreans, not (much) more than the Portuguese
I think Americans work more than Europeans and are more likely to have families, so I don't see free time as a great explainer.