Freedom Types and Life Satisfaction: Empirical Evidence on the Role of Individual and Civic-Oriented Values

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between four freedom orientations—libertarian, utilitarian, civic, and communitarian—and subjective well-being. We conceptualize liberty orientations as varying in their prioritization of individual autonomy relative to the general interest. Using nationally representative survey data, we estimate a recursive generalized structural equation model (GSEM) with instrumental variables to address potential endogeneity between liberty orientations and well-being. Falsification tests confirm the validity of our instruments. The results indicate that civic and communitarian orientations are positively and significantly associated with higher levels of life satisfaction compared to libertarian and utilitarian orientations. The fit between freedom orientations and local institutional quality matters since living in areas with low institutional quality reduces the positive nexus between being civic or communitarian and subjective well-being. Our findings suggest that the value-context fit and value systems emphasizing voluntary alignment with, or prioritization of, the general interest foster higher well-being, consistent with research strands highlighting the importance of social relationships, generativity, procedural utility, and collective purpose discussed in the paper. Our contribution is both theoretical, by refining the typology of liberty orientations, and empirical, by providing causal evidence of their effects on subjective well-being.