Modern equalitarian societies whether democratic or authoritarian in their political forms, always base themselves on the claim that they are making life happier. Happiness thus becomes the chief political issue -- in a sense, the only political issue -- and for that reason it can never be treated as an issue at all.

Summary

This quote suggests that modern equalitarian societies, regardless of their political structure, always prioritize the pursuit of happiness as the main objective. However, by making happiness the central focus, it paradoxically becomes an overlooked and unresolved issue. This might be because happiness is subjective and complex, and attempting to implement policies or systems solely based on achieving happiness oversimplifies its multifaceted nature. Consequently, the quote implies that while happiness is crucial, it cannot be effectively addressed by reducing it to a singular political concern.

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