The ideological theory of happiness is a concept that explores the relationship between political ideology and happiness. According to some studies, American political conservatives report greater happiness than American political liberals. Some conservative pundits have embraced these results, arguing that liberalism is not conducive to happiness. However, the reasons behind these findings are not entirely clear. One theory is that conservative ideology serves a palliative function, which explains why conservatives are happier than liberals. Another theory is that happiness results from a rational mental calculus involving comparison with the standard of the good life. However, these theories fall short as a general explanation, and happiness seems to be inferred from how we feel in the first place. Therefore, there is no reality ground for rejecting the greatest happiness principle as a moral lead.