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A Modern Guide to the Economics of Happiness
Exploring the modern approach to the economics of happiness, which came about with the Easterlin Paradox, this book analyses and assesses the idea that as a country gets richer the happiness of its citizens remains the same. The book moves through three distinct pillars of study in the field: first analysing the historical and philosophical foundations of the debate; then the methodological and measurements issues and their political implications; and finally empirical applications and discussion about what determines a happy life.
More Information
Contributors
Contents
More Information
Exploring the modern approach to the economics of happiness, which came about with the Easterlin Paradox, this book analyses and assesses the idea that as a country gets richer the happiness of its citizens remains the same. The book moves through three distinct pillars of study in the field: first analysing the historical and philosophical foundations of the debate; then the methodological and measurements issues and their political implications; and finally empirical applications and discussion about what determines a happy life.
A Modern Guide to the Economics of Happiness extends the concept of happiness to that of wellbeing, offering an inquiry into well-being within the paradigm of complex systems. It draws together both recent developments in studies on the economics of happiness as well as its historical roots, covering the concept of Eudaimonia, Aristotle’s theories and the important contribution of Italian economists. Critical case studies look at the relationship between physical activity and wellbeing, the value of family for life satisfaction, and the role of social capital for migrant acceptance.
An invigorating read for economics and psychology scholars, this book will also be of interest to those researching welfare and development economics.
A Modern Guide to the Economics of Happiness extends the concept of happiness to that of wellbeing, offering an inquiry into well-being within the paradigm of complex systems. It draws together both recent developments in studies on the economics of happiness as well as its historical roots, covering the concept of Eudaimonia, Aristotle’s theories and the important contribution of Italian economists. Critical case studies look at the relationship between physical activity and wellbeing, the value of family for life satisfaction, and the role of social capital for migrant acceptance.
An invigorating read for economics and psychology scholars, this book will also be of interest to those researching welfare and development economics.
Contributors
Contributors: L. Alaimo, L. Bruni, L. Crivelli, D. De Rosa, R. Easterlin, N. Esipova, G. Ferri, B. Frey, M. Lucchini, F. Maggino, K. O’Connor, A. Pugliese, M. Pugno, J. Ray, E. Riva, M. Rizzolli, J. Sachs, P. Santori, F. Sarracino, A. Smerilli, F. Wang, S. Wang
Contents
Contents:
1 Happiness and wellbeing: past foundations, modern
evidence and future paths 1
Luigino Bruni, Dalila De Rosa and Alessandra Smerilli
2 What future happiness research? 17
Bruno Frey
PART I HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS
3 Aristotle, eudaimonia, neuroscience and economics 29
Jeffrey Sachs
4 The economics of eudaimonia 46
Maurizio Pugno
5 Felicitas publica : the southern spirit of capitalism 67
Luigino Bruni
6 ‘Naturaliter homo homini amicus est’: economy, happiness and
relationships in Aquinas’ thought 95
Paolo Santori
PART II METHODS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR
THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS
7 Complexity and wellbeing: measurement and analysis 113
Filomena Maggino and Leonardo Salvatore Alaimo
8 Growth and happiness in China, 1990–2015 129
Richard A. Easterlin, Fei Wang and Shun Wang
9 Economic growth and well-being beyond the Easterlin paradox 162
Francesco Sarracino and Kelsey J. O’Connor
PART III EMPIRICAL APPLICATIONS IN THE
ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS
10 The effect of physical activity on subjective well-being: the
case for exercise 190
Mario Lucchini, Egidio Riva and Luca Crivelli
11 Standing together: is family a resilience factor for subjective
wellbeing? 215
Dalila De Rosa and Matteo Rizzolli
12 Cooperatives and happiness: cross-country evidence on the
role of relational capital 243
Luigino Bruni, Dalila De Rosa and Giovanni Ferri
13 The relationship between migrant acceptance and wellbeing:
evidence
from the Gallup Migrant Acceptance Index 279
Neli Esipova, Julie Ray and Anita Pugliese
Index 305
1 Happiness and wellbeing: past foundations, modern
evidence and future paths 1
Luigino Bruni, Dalila De Rosa and Alessandra Smerilli
2 What future happiness research? 17
Bruno Frey
PART I HISTORICAL AND PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES
ON THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS
3 Aristotle, eudaimonia, neuroscience and economics 29
Jeffrey Sachs
4 The economics of eudaimonia 46
Maurizio Pugno
5 Felicitas publica : the southern spirit of capitalism 67
Luigino Bruni
6 ‘Naturaliter homo homini amicus est’: economy, happiness and
relationships in Aquinas’ thought 95
Paolo Santori
PART II METHODS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR
THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS
7 Complexity and wellbeing: measurement and analysis 113
Filomena Maggino and Leonardo Salvatore Alaimo
8 Growth and happiness in China, 1990–2015 129
Richard A. Easterlin, Fei Wang and Shun Wang
9 Economic growth and well-being beyond the Easterlin paradox 162
Francesco Sarracino and Kelsey J. O’Connor
PART III EMPIRICAL APPLICATIONS IN THE
ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS
10 The effect of physical activity on subjective well-being: the
case for exercise 190
Mario Lucchini, Egidio Riva and Luca Crivelli
11 Standing together: is family a resilience factor for subjective
wellbeing? 215
Dalila De Rosa and Matteo Rizzolli
12 Cooperatives and happiness: cross-country evidence on the
role of relational capital 243
Luigino Bruni, Dalila De Rosa and Giovanni Ferri
13 The relationship between migrant acceptance and wellbeing:
evidence
from the Gallup Migrant Acceptance Index 279
Neli Esipova, Julie Ray and Anita Pugliese
Index 305
