ISBN : 9780198758730
In recent years, debates on the economics of happiness have shown that, over the long-term, well-being is influenced more by social and personal relationships than by income. This evidence challenges the traditional economic policy paradigm that has emphasized income as the primary determinant of well-being. This volume brings together contributions from leading scholars to ask: What should be done to improve the quality of people's lives? Can economic and social changes be made which enhance well-being? What policies are required? How do policies for well-being differ from traditional ones targeted on redistribution, the correction of market inefficiencies, and growth? Are there dimensions of well-being that have been neglected by traditional policies? Is happiness a meaningful policy target? The volume presents reflections and proposals which constitute a first step towards answering these questions.
Stefano Bartolini, Ennio Bilancini, Luigino Bruni, and Pierluigi Porta: Introduction
Part 1. Should Happiness Research Be Taken Seriously For Policy-Making Purposes?
1 Bruno S. Frey and Alois Stutzer: Policy Consequences of Happiness Research
2 Robert Sugden and Joshua Chen-Yuan Teng: Is Happiness A Matter For Governments? A Millian perspective on Richard Layard's 'New Science'
3 Richard Layard: Comment on 'Is Happiness A Matter For Governments?' by Robert Sugden and Joshua Chen-Yuan Teng
4 Andrew Clark: Happiness, Habits and High Rank: Comparisons in Economic and Social Life
5 Carol Graham: Adaptation Amidst Prosperity and Adversity: Insights from Happiness Studies from Around the World
Part 2. Which Policies, since Happiness Research has to be taken Seriously? Targeting Social Capital, Values, and Education
6 Tim Kasser: Materialistic Values and Well-being: Problems and Policy
7 John F. Helliwell: Life Satisfaction and Quality of Development
8 Stefano Bartolini, Ennio Bilancini, and Francesco Sarracino: Social Capital Predicts Happiness Over Time: World-Wide Evidence Form Time Series
9 Vittorio Pelligra: Promoting Trust through Institutional Design
10 Maurizio Pugno: Why Policies for Children, Early Education, and Culture? Drawing on Scitovsky's Thought
Part 3. From the Past to the Present
11 Pier Luigi Porta: Civil Economy: The Paradigm and its Historical Roots
12 Luigino Bruni: Public Happiness And Relational Goods: That Crucial Link that Economics and Policy often Forget