Governments Can Promote Happiness
No government has yet taken the next step of reshaping its policies to promote happiness, but clear patterns reveal that low taxes, freedom of speech and equality are good for wellbeing.
As developed countries realize the dream of material triumph, happiness is still found wanting. “For much of the past century the best route to happiness was thought to be economic growth, growth that was fuelled more than anything by a constant stream of new stuff. …
Yet for all the impact of technology on everything from cutting carbon emissions to organising demonstrations it is no longer so obvious that the innovations that matter most are innovations in things. Instead, your happiness is likely to be most affected by a holistic childcare centre for children or a hospice for the very old.”
