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Contribution Details

Type Working Paper
Scope Discipline-based scholarship
Title Should National Happiness Be Maximized ?
Organization Unit
Authors
  • Bruno Frey
  • Alois Stutzer
Language
  • English
Institution University of Zurich
Series Name Working paper series / Institute for Empirical Research in Economics
Number No. 306
ISSN 1424-0459
Date 2007
Abstract Text Cross-disciplinary ‘happiness research’ has made big progress in the measurementnof individual welfare. This development makes it tempting to pursue the old dream ofnmaximizing aggregate happiness as a social welfare function. However, we postulate that thenappropriate approach is not to maximize aggregate happiness in seeking to improve outcomesnby direct policy interventions. The goal of happiness research should rather be to improve thennature of the processes through which individuals can express their preferences. Individualsnshould become better able to advance their idea of the good life, both individually andncollectively.
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