Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/214372 
Year of Publication: 
2007
Series/Report no.: 
CREMA Working Paper No. 2006-26
Publisher: 
Center for Research in Economics, Management and the Arts (CREMA), Basel
Abstract: 
Cross-disciplinary ?happiness research? has made big progress in the measurement of individual welfare. This development makes it tempting to pursue the old dream of maximizing aggregate happiness as a social welfare function. However, we postulate that the appropriate approach is not to maximize aggregate happiness in seeking to improve outcomes by direct policy interventions. The goal of happiness research should rather be to improve the nature of the processes through which individuals can express their preferences. Individuals should become better able to advance their idea of the good life, both individually and collectively.
Subjects: 
Economic policy
happiness
life satisfaction
political economy
social welfare
utility
JEL: 
D60
D70
H11
I31
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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