Nic Marks presented a TED talk on The Happy Planet Index. This Amazon short covers a lot of the same ground, fleshing it out with a bit more detail.The message is that policies using Gross Domestic Product as a measure of success would not necessarily improve public well-being or happiness. The Gross Domestic Product measures everything "except that which makes life worthwhile". It promotes goals which serve the economy rather than the people. If the goal of Government is to improve public well-being then, GDP is not the best metric, and was not devised to be used for this purpose. Our material needs are quite easily met (certainly in the western world). Consuming more doesn't necessarily make people more happy.The Happy Planet Index takes into account the number of happy life years a person in a particular country could expect and also the ecological footprint of achieving that. It must be sustainable or there is a negative impact on the Happy Planet Index for future generations.Using this measure, the Latin American countries are particularly strong in giving their citizens long, happy and healthy lives with a relatively low ecological footprint, with Costa Rica leading the way. Different nations face different challenges in terms of improving well-being, improving public health or reducing their ecological footprint. We have some work to do in the UK in terms of reducing ecological footprint.Following an explanation of the Happy Planet Index there is a section on happiness for the individual, listing five areas of focus for living a happy life, none of which are exclusive to the wealthy. That part is kind-of like similar things in self-help books, but it does highlight the things that make a life well lived don't have to cost much. It also talks about the role of Government, outlining seven policies which would aim at improving public well-being rather than improving GDP.I found it an interesting and thought-provoking short read. In the current economic climate there is a lot of talk about economic growth vs well-being. If metrics can be used to quantify improvements in well-being as a result of Government policy, then that sounds better than using something cold and heartless like GDP. As always the proof is in the pudding, so it will be interesting to how this transpires in practise. Our own Government in the UK are working in this area, but I've yet to see much press on it, so it is hard to gauge how effective it is proving. It will likely take a while for this kind of thinking to settle into the mindsets of our politicians, but if that can be achieved, they may be able to do a better job for all of us. SUSTAINABLE DECLINE?"Happy people live longer, some studies even suggesting up to ten years longer"In his TED book, ‘The Happiness Manifesto: How Nations and People Can Nurture Well-Being,’ and in his TED talks, economist Nic Marks offers many positive ideas worth spreading; especially in his suggested, “Five ways to personal well-being:” 1) Connect; 2) Be active; 3) Take notice; 4) Keep learning; and 5) Give. Although encouraged by the use of the word ‘Nurture’ in his title, I am skeptical of a strong left-leaning bias that wouldn’t be at all uncomfortable with a little (maybe more than a little) coercion."Our business models are focused almost exclusively on maximizing profits for shareholders, often ignoring the needs of their broader stakeholder groups, such as local communities, employees and suppliers"Sustainable-socialism [in my opinion] is still an oxymoron.Recommendation: Read and ruminate.TEDbook edition…
What do You think about The Happiness Manifesto (2000)?
The Gross Domestic Product "measures everything except that which makes life worthwhile."
—Denman
Interesting read about how government needs to focus on happiness as national policy.
—Haley
Short and sweet - a thoughtful reminder of what government can work towards.
—Khales
