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Happiness economics is the study of a country's well-being by combining economists' and psychologists' techniques. Quality of life is the degree of well-being felt by an individual or group of people It relies on more expansive notions of utility than does conventional economics. Economics is the social science that studies the production distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Although its usefulness is yet to be determined, it has become a subject of interest and often a measure of comparison with the traditional forms of measuring market health such as GDP and GNP. [1]

Contents

Worldwide happiness

The Satisfaction with Life Index. Green = Happiest > Blue > Purple > Orange > Red = Least Happy; Grey = Data not available
The Satisfaction with Life Index. This World Happiness Map was created with data of Satisfaction With Life Scale from a paper by Adrian G Green = Happiest > Blue > Purple > Orange > Red = Least Happy; Grey = Data not available

The Satisfaction with Life Index is an attempt to show the average self-reported happiness (subjective life satisfaction) in different nations. This World Happiness Map was created with data of Satisfaction With Life Scale from a paper by Adrian G Happiness is an Emotion associated with feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to Bliss and intense Joy. Subjective life satisfaction is a measure of an individual's perceived level of well-being and happiness This is an example of a recent trend to use direct measures of happiness, such as surveys asking people how happy they are, as an alternative to traditional measures of policy success to GDP or GNP. Some studies suggest that happiness can be measured effectively. [2][3]

There are also several examples of measures that includes self-reported happiness as one variable. Happy Life Years, a concept brought by Dutch sociologist Ruut Veenhoven, combines self-reported happiness with life expectancy. The Dutch people ( Dutch:) are the dominant Ethnic group of the Netherlands. Life expectancy is the average number of years of life remaining at a given age The Happy Planet Index combines it with life expectancy and ecological footprint. The Happy Planet Index (HPI is an Index of human well-being and environmental impact introduced by the New Economics Foundation (NEF in July 2006 The ecological footprint is a measure of human demand on the Earth's Ecosystems. Gross national happiness is a concept introduced by the King of Bhutan as an alternative to GDP but there is as yet no exact definition. Gross National Happiness (GNH is an attempt to define Quality of life in more holistic and psychological terms than Gross National Product. The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia.

Happiness and GDP

Typically market health measures such as GDP and GNP have been used as a measure of successful policy. However, although on average richer nations tend to be happier than poorer nations, beyond an average GDP/capita of about $15,000 (most of the world's nations have less than this), studies indicate the average income in a nation makes little difference to the average self-reported happiness. This article includes three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product Per capita at Nominal values, the [4][5] Others criticize this, pointing out that since life expectancy has continued to increase in nations wealthier than this, often attributed partly to economic growth allowing for factors such as better health care, Happy Life Years have continued to increase. [6] It has been argued that happiness measures could be used not as a replacement for more traditional measures but as a supplement. [7]

What makes people happy? — Determinants of happiness

Given its very nature, happiness is subjective. [8] It is difficult to compare one person’s happiness with another. [9] It can be especially difficult to compare happiness across cultures. [9] However, happiness economists believe they have solved this comparison problem. Cross-sections of large data samples across nations and time demonstrate consistent patterns in the determinates of happiness. [9]

Abraham Maslow theorized that human happiness is the outcome of meeting a set of needs. Abraham Harold Maslow ( April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970) was an American psychologist. He listed these in order of priority, leading to a pyramid called Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory in Psychology, proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper A Theory of Human Motivation, which The set of needs includes physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization needs. These needs can be used as a basis for evaluating the overall happiness level of individuals.

Micro-econometric happiness equations have the standard form: Wit = α + βxit + εit. [9] In this equation W is the reported well-being of individual i at time t, and x is a vector of known variables, which include socio-demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. . [9]

Other quantities have been suggested as making people happier. [10] Money correlates with happiness, however at a diminishing rate with how much that amount of money increases. [10][9][11] One study, when corrected for social status, showed no correlation between income and happiness. The amount of spare time people have, as well as their control over how much spare time they have, also correlates with happiness. [12] More generally, there is a significant correlation between feeling in control of one's own life and happiness levels. Losing one's job can be a great source of unhappiness. [13]

Children tend to decrease parental happiness, at least until they leave for college, although in terms of a broader life narrative the opposite may be true. [10] Married people are happier, but it is unclear if this is due to the marriage or if already happy people tend to marry. [10]

Marriage, children and how happy they make us, provide a perfect case study for these questions. Gilberts writes that prospective parents know that raising children will be laborious, yet they believe it will make them very happy. In fact, studies show it does just the opposite, and that levels of parental happiness don't rise until kids leave for college (so much for the empty-nest theory). Still, if happiness is thought of in terms of a broader life narrative, rather than just specific moments of teething, diaper changing and petty-cash culling, it's pretty clear that kids do add value. Happiness politicians know that welfare states need more kids to plug the coming labor shortage — but should they actively encourage something that will make people unhappy, at least in the short run? Likewise marriage—married couples test happier, but it's unclear if that's because happy people marry. Whether or not politicians back policies that support marriage and having kids doesn't really matter, because people embrace these happiness myths quite willingly. "We are the product of our genes and our societies," says Gilbert. Traditions will trump the empirical evidence that money and kids won't make us happy. [10]

One concern has always been the accuracy and reliability of people’s responses to happiness surveys. [10] To make happiness metrics more credible, scientists have new tools at their disposal. Advancements in technology have enabled scientists to objectively determine when someone is truly happy by watching whether the joy center of the brain lit up with advanced imaging. [10]

A study conducted at the University of Zurich suggested that democracy and federalism bring well-being to individuals. The University of Zurich ( German: Universität Zürich) located in the city of Zurich, is the largest University in Switzerland [14] It concluded that the more direct political participation possibilities available to citizens raises their subjective well-being. [14] Two reasons were given for this finding. First, a more active role for citizens enables better monitoring of professional politicians by citizens, which leads to greater satisfaction with government output. [14] Second, the ability for citizens to get involved in and have control over the political process, independently increases well-being. [14]

Higher economic freedom, as measured by both the Heritage and the Fraser indices, correlates strongly with higher self-reported happiness. Economic freedom is freedom to produce trade and consume any goods and services acquired without the use of force fraud or theft [15]

Given the subjective nature of the response to happiness surveys, different approaches have looked at other factors in an individual's life; for example happiness being inversely related to levels of stress, allergy, asthma and other chronic conditions. Allergy is a disorder of the Immune system often also referred to as Atopy. Asthma is a chronic Condition involving the Respiratory system in which the airways occasionally constrict become inflamed, and are In Medicine, a chronic disease is a Disease that is long-lasting or recurrent By this measure, the happiness of many developed nations in the world has gone down over the past 50 years.

Implication of Sexual Activities in Measuring Happiness

According to theories developed by Sigmund Freud, Sexual drives are the basis for human behaviors. Sigmund Freud (ˈziːkmʊnt ˈfʁɔʏt born Sigismund Shlomo Freud (May 6 1856 &ndash September 23 1939 was an Austrian Psychiatrist who founded Social activities, including economic activities, theoretically have direct or indirect origins from sexual drives. This psychological aspect of economic activities is particularly useful in numerical measurement of happiness. Happiness economists generally assign a value of utility to different acts of sex. The level of happiness, or value of utility, is usually decided using factors of contribution of particular sex acts to health, increased productivity in professional life, and contribution of sex-related industries (such as pornography) to production indices such as the GDP. Pornography or porn is the explicit depiction of Sexual subject matter with the sole intention of sexually exciting the viewer [16]

Although there exist many other aspects of the living standards that are accounted in measurement of happiness, sex has comparatively high levels of utility and is considered central to the happiness of a nation. That said, data pertaining to contentment with sex requires surveys with large sample sizes. Conservative attitudes of many cultures also limit the accuracy of the surveys. [17] Most happiness economists would not deny that sexual activities potentially contribute much more to human happiness than it is measured. It should be noted that sexual activities have a marginal utility that decreases over quantity, and can possibly have a negative value, due to the theory that too much sex can damage physical well-being and cause injury. [18]

Well-established measurements include the National Index of Sexual Health. Its sub-indices include utility levels of different sex acts, such as homosexual sex and ocular penetration. Homosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the same sex or to a Homosexual orientation.

Notable supporters of using happiness economics on promotion of safe teen sex include former New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer, journalist and anchor Anderson Cooper, and TV show host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Eliot Laurence Spitzer (born June 10, 1959) is an American lawyer and former politician of the Democratic Party. Anderson Hays Cooper (born June 3 1967 is an American Emmy Award -winning Journalist, author and television personality James Christian "Jimmy" Kimmel (born November 13, 1967) is an American Television host and Comedian.

Development of a Happiness Index

The idea that happiness is important to a society is not new. Thomas Jefferson put the “pursuit of happiness” on the same level as life and liberty in the United States [1] Jeremy Bentham believed that public policy should attempt to maximize happiness, and he even attempted to estimate a "hedonic calculus". Jeremy Bentham ( IPA: or) (15 February 1748&ndash6 June 1832 was an English Jurist, Philosopher, and legal and Social reformer [10] Many other prominent economists and philosophers throughout history, including Aristotle, incorporated happiness into their work. Aristotle (Greek Aristotélēs) (384 BC – 322 BC was a Greek philosopher a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. [9]

Several countries have already developed or are in the process of developing a gross national happiness index (GNH). [19][10] His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan, is credited with creating the first such index. Jigme Singye Wangchuck (born November 11, 1955) was the fourth Dragon King (Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006 The Kingdom of Bhutan (buːˈtɑːn is a Landlocked nation in South Asia. [19] In 1972, the King was concerned about the problems afflicting other developing countries which were focused on economic growth. [19] While a work in progress, the example set by Bhutan is starting to catch on in other parts of the world. [10] Bhutan’s index has led that country to limit the amount of deforestation it will allow and to require that all tourists to its nation must spend US$200[10] Allegedly, extensive tourism and deforestation lead to unhappiness. [10]

After the military coup of 2006, Thailand also instituted an index. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj [10] The stated promise of the new Prime Minster Surayud Chulanont is to make the Thai people not only richer but happier as well. General (ret Surayud Chulanont (สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์ RTGS: Surayut Chulanon Nickname Big Add) was the Prime Minister of Thailand [10] Much like GDP results, Thailand releases monthly GNH data. [20] The Thai GNH index is based on a 1-10 scale with 10 being the most happy. [20] As of May 13, 2007, the Thai GNH measured 5. Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. 1 points. [20] The index uses poll data from the population surveying various satisfaction factors such as, security, public utilities, good governance, trade, social justice, allocation of resources, education and community problems. [20]

Australia, Canada[19], China, France[21] and the United Kingdom are also coming up with indexes to measure national happiness. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located [10]

Ecuador's Constituent Assembly is also incorporating the concept of "good life" ("buen vivir" in Spanish or "sumak kawsay", in the indigenous Quichua), as the goal of sustainable development. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Ecuador topics. Kichwa ( Kichwa shimi, Runashimi, also Spanish Quichua) is a Quechuan language including all Quechua varieties spoken

Goals of Happiness Economics

The goal of happiness economics is to determine from what source people derive their well-being. Historically, economists have said that well-being is a simple function of income. It has been found that once wealth reaches a subsistence level, its effectiveness as a generator of well-being is greatly diminished. [22] This paradox has been referred to as the Easterlin paradox. The Easterlin Paradox is a key concept in Happiness economics. [9] It appears that this paradox results from a "hedonic treadmill. Brickman and Campbell coined the term "Hedonic Treadmill" in their essay "Hedonic Relativism and Planning the Good Society" (1971 which appeared in M "[22] This means, aspirations increase along with income and after basic needs are met, relative rather than absolute levels of income influence well-being. [9] Happiness economists hope to change the way governments view well-being and how to most effectively govern and allocate resources given this paradox. [13]

Criticism of Happiness Economics

Some have suggested that establishing happiness as a metric is only meant to serve debatable political goals. [10] Recently there has been concern that happiness research could be used to advance authoritarian aims. [10] As a result, some participants at a happiness conference in Rome have suggested that happiness research should not be used as a matter of public policy but rather used to inform individuals. [10]

In addition, survey findings can lead to subjective interpretations. For example, a happiness study conducted in Russia during the 1990s[9] indicated that as unemployment grew, the well-being of both those employed and unemployed rose. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending The interpretation of this could be that it resulted from diminished expectations and respondents who were less critical of their own situation when many around them were unemployed[9], or it could be interpreted as being the result of everyone benefitting from the unpaid work that the unemployed were able to do for their families and communities with their increased time resource.

See also

External links

Bibliography

References and notes

  1. ^ "A New Measure of Well-Being From a Happy Little Kingdom" (html). New York Times. Retrieved on 2007-01-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army
  2. ^ The True Measure of Success - Wired. com
  3. ^ "Happiness" is not enough- Samuel Brittan: Templeton Lecture Inst. of Economic Affairs 22/11/01
  4. ^ Bruno S. Frey and Alois Stutzer Happiness and Economics, Princeton University Press, December 2001; published in the UK by John Wiley & Sons.
  5. ^ In Pursuit of Happiness Research. Is It Reliable? What Does It Imply for Policy? The Cato Institute. April 11, 2007
  6. ^ In Pursuit of Happiness Research. Is It Reliable? What Does It Imply for Policy? The Cato institute. April 11, 2007
  7. ^ A bigger economy doesn't always buy happiness - latimes. com
  8. ^ Ruut Veenhoven, World Database of Happiness, 2007
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Carol Graham, The Economics of Happiness, 3, 2005.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Rana Foroohar, "Money v. Happiness: Nations Rethink Priorities", Newsweek, April 5, 2007]. Events 456 - St Patrick returns to Ireland as a missionary bishop Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  11. ^ Richard Easterlin, Explaining Happiness, 2003
  12. ^ Lina Eriksson, James Mahmud Rice, and Robert E. Goodin, "Temporal Aspects of Life Satisfaction", "Social Indicators Research", February, 2007, 80(3), 511-533. Overview February was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification, via the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 in the Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  13. ^ a b Andrew Oswald, A Non-Technical Introduction to the Economics of Happiness, 1999
  14. ^ a b c d Bruno S. Frey & Alois Stutzer, Happiness, Economy and Institutions, 4-5, 1999
  15. ^ In Pursuit of Happiness Research. Is It Reliable? What Does It Imply for Policy? The Cato institute. April 11, 2007
  16. ^ Are We Happy?, John Silber, 1998
  17. ^ Development of Economic Indices, Stanley Kowalski, 2003
  18. ^ Sexual Perversion: Fact or Fiction?Nikko Bellic, 1994
  19. ^ a b c d Andrew Revkin, "A New Measure of Well-Being From a Happy Little Kingdom", The New York Times, October 4, 2005, [hereinafter "New Measure"]. Events 610 - Heraclius arrives by ship from Africa at Constantinople, overthrows Byzantine Emperor Phocas Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
  20. ^ a b c d Thailand's Gross Domestic Happiness Index Falls, Monsters and Critics, 2007
  21. ^ TheStar.com | News | Inventing the `Glad Domestic Product'
  22. ^ a b Explaining Economics
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