Happiness isn’t easy
Posted by adrianb1 on August 26, 2008
I’ve not blogged for a while. I haven’t been on leave, just rushing round getting stressed over various jobs, including work on happiness suggesting we should all be less rushed and stressed at work, so some post-modern irony in there somewhere.
The ‘happiness agenda’ could have far reaching implications for policy in local as well as central government, but it is far from straightforward. There may be arguments for less materialism and more social contact, but even that is disputed (does it mean less economic development and more leisure and culture?). The more I delve into it, the more different voices I hear. The link between equality and happiness is much less secure than I’d appreciated. Happiness has tended not to be included in declarations of human rights, at least in this century, but you could argue that happiness is the underlying purpose for which you would want rights.
I am certainly looking forward to the Well-Being Conference on 9 September. Not that I’m expecting answers, but it’ll be good to hear the debate taken forward.
Ian Parker-Joseph said
How on earth do you expect to be able to legislate or govern happiness.
Happiness is a spontaneous emotion, a feeling of wellbeing, not a tangible thing that laws or rules can govern.
My god, I despair sometimes. When will this PC madness end so we can all go back to being normal people again.
adrianb1 said
Who wants to legislate for happiness? It’s not about making government responsible for your happiness. But governments, central and local, currently do a lot of things which impact on your happiness and influence your choices and activities. If there is a conflict or trade-off between policies which help people be wealthier or happier (e.g. low grade jobs versus pleasant open space), which should government pursue?