ABU DHABI // The philosopher Thomas Hobbes famously described the life of man in the state of nature as nasty, brutish and short. Not at all happy.
But that state never truly existed: it was a thought experiment by Hobbes to convince us of the virtues that might steadily accrue from the opposite condition – civil society.
Still, as we survey the region today, we might think Hobbes to have prophesised the war of all against all in the Middle East of the 21st century. Not happy. Apart, of course, from the exceptions to be found most notably along the southern coastline of the Arabian Gulf.
Indeed, the UAE is dedicated to the proposition of happiness. We seek to entrench happiness in the governance that pervades the sweep of everyday life. This year, the Government went so far as to appoint a Minister of State for Happiness. No doubt there was more than a little scepticism around the world, but that is to misunderstand. Happiness isn’t a perpetual state of mirth.
The office of the Ministry of Happiness is not the department of fun. Its work, properly constituted, is to test and establish new standards of efficiency throughout government.
For the happiness of citizens comes from the realised expectation that reasonable goals can be achieved without undue hindrance by the state. And that the state, in fact, might even help in achieving them. In a region with massive dysfunction, governance of an efficient and effective character is no small virtue. We at this newspaper have made our contributions towards this, and will continue to do so. That's why, on the occasion of The National's eighth anniversary, we are publishing a supplement on the various ways we all view happiness.
Since we launched in 2008, The National has led the way in pushing against unreasonable boundaries that impinge on expectations of efficiency. We have reported on the breakdown of public service where it has happened, on how our nation has measured up against global best standards, and on stumbles where they have occurred on our trek towards a modern society. At the same time, we have reported on our national achievements and breakthroughs. We, the paper, are a citizen and friend who seeks the further improvement of our country. We'd like to think that we have been, and we will continue to be, an instrument of happiness.
But let me now also consider happiness on a more prosaic level. Whether we expect others to define what happiness is for us or leave it as something for each of us to pursue, we might find some common ground that brings all these parts together. And it may lie in knowing that living in a place that is tolerant of ideas, that allows individuals to make choices, to explore, and to try different ways to reach their understanding of happiness, may lead to a state of contentment and satisfaction. Such is one kind of happiness.
And here’s something else. Smiling, giving, and praising others does the trick, too. As individuals, we may have a role to play in this mission of building a community that fosters happiness. A bit of kindness, a bit of compassion, and some empathy could go a long way. Also, we might adopt the practice of giving and expressing appreciation at home and in the workplace.
With this in mind, I'd like to acknowledge the achievements and many successes of the staff of The National – how we have all made contributions to the state of happiness of our stakeholders. And long may this continue.
newsdesk@theantional.ae
