Study after study in the West has shown, people who identify as politically liberal have lower levels of happiness and psychological well-being than Conservatives. The demarcation between the two categories in the US applies, broadly, to India too. Liberals tend to be more tolerant and engaged with society’s realities, while a conservative mindset cares more about traditions, loyalty and binding values.

It stands to reason that anyone preoccupied with myriad problems like caste inequality, corruption and air pollution will be unhappier than someone who stoically shrugs their shoulders, knowing the world is what it is. And gets on with it. Indeed, there is wisdom in accepting what can’t be changed, something like the lyrics of the 1990s hit song, Don’t Worry, Be Happy: “In life we have some troubles but when you worry you make it double.” That attitude makes everything a lot simpler because we’re all driven, to some extent, by the pursuit of happiness. But who is finding it? Not the dreamy progressive, beset with existential angst that their country’s........

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