Comments on: A French Twist On GDP

By: Kelly

Kelly — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:29:19 +0000

I believe the country of Bhutan has been using Gross National Happiness for a while now.

By: Morgan

Morgan — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:12:54 +0000

There has been an interesting debate in the “real-world economic review” about happiness indicators and their policy usefulness.http://www.paecon.net/PAEReview/issue49/Turton49.pdfhttp://www.paecon.net/PAEReview/issue46/JohnsOrmerod46.pdfOverall, I’m concerned that economists will try to apply happiness research with an analytical presumptuousness that feels similar to the way cost-benefit analysis has been deployed – that numbers are unbiased and can lead us toward ethical or even effective policy decisions.By the nature of the academic debate, I think this field will need a couple more decades before it’s ready.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:33:34 +0000

PS: The Seattle Times quote is from the article that Eric linked to in his main post, above.Great article, great post. Vive La France! –Michelle in Eugene, Oregon (Sightline and Seattle Times fan via the Internet.)

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:58:48 +0000

Here's something else worth mentioning from the report, as stated in the Seattle Times:"Attention should also be given to whether countries are over-consuming their economic wealth and DAMAGING THE ENVIRONMENT, the report says."[Emphasis added.]