The Illusion of Well-Being

Economic Policymaking Based on Respect and Responsiveness

Business & Finance, Economics, Theory of Economics, Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, Economic Policy
Cover of the book The Illusion of Well-Being by Mark D. White, Palgrave Macmillan US
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Author: Mark D. White ISBN: 9781137361158
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan US Publication: September 4, 2014
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan Language: English
Author: Mark D. White
ISBN: 9781137361158
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan US
Publication: September 4, 2014
Imprint: Palgrave Macmillan
Language: English

The use of measures of economic output to guide policymaking has been criticized for decades because of their weak ties to human well-being. Recently, many scholars and politicians have called for measures of happiness or subjective well-being to be used to guide policy in people's true interests. In The Illusion of Well-Being, Mark D. White explains why using happiness as a tool for policymaking is misguided and unethical. Happiness is too vague a term to define, and too general a concept, to measure in a way that captures people's true feelings. He extends this critique to well-being in general and concludes that no measure of well-being can do justice to people's true interests, which are complex, multifaceted, and subjective. White suggests instead that policymaking be conducted according to respect and responsiveness, promoting the true interests of citizens while addressing their real needs, and devoting government resources to where they can do the most good.

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The use of measures of economic output to guide policymaking has been criticized for decades because of their weak ties to human well-being. Recently, many scholars and politicians have called for measures of happiness or subjective well-being to be used to guide policy in people's true interests. In The Illusion of Well-Being, Mark D. White explains why using happiness as a tool for policymaking is misguided and unethical. Happiness is too vague a term to define, and too general a concept, to measure in a way that captures people's true feelings. He extends this critique to well-being in general and concludes that no measure of well-being can do justice to people's true interests, which are complex, multifaceted, and subjective. White suggests instead that policymaking be conducted according to respect and responsiveness, promoting the true interests of citizens while addressing their real needs, and devoting government resources to where they can do the most good.

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