Harvesting Happiness
The Hidden Psychology of Populism: How Insecurity Shapes How We Vote
Younger generations carry the burden of economic instability, often finding the milestones of homeownership and secure retirement slipping further out of reach than they were for their grandparents. As traditional social safety nets fray, many people are left navigating a profound sense of anxiety and social disconnection. This raises the question: Why do financial elites continue to achieve overwhelming success at the ballot box? How does the media manipulate voters to support outcomes that ultimately undermine their own well-being and psychological safety? To better understand the connection between well-being and political anxiety, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Lorenza Antonucci, PhD, one of Europe's leading voices on the human cost of insecurity. The discussion centers around her book, Insecurity Politics: How Unstable Lives Lead to Populist Support. In it, Lorenza addresses a troubling shift in global politics: abandoning the idea of meeting public needs, leaving individuals vulnerable and driving support for populism. She highlights the foundational, empathetic, collective solutions that shift responsibility for economic and psychological safety nets from the state to employers. Like what you're hearing? WANT MORE SOUND IDEAS FOR DEEPER THINKING? Check out More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on https://harvestinghappiness.substack.com/ and https://medium.com/@HarvestingHappiness .
