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Emotional prosperity and the Stiglitz Commission

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Oswald, Andrew J. (2010) Emotional prosperity and the Stiglitz Commission. Working Paper. Coventry: University of Warwick. Dept. of Economics. (Warwick economics research paper series (TWERPS), Vol.2010).

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Abstract

This paper argues in line with the proposals of the recent Stiglitz Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress that we should now be measuring a nation's emotional prosperity rather than its economic prosperity (that is, we ought to focus on the level of mental well-being not the number of pounds in people's bank accounts). The paper reviews recent ideas in this field. It also describes seven recent studies that, worryingly, suggest that emotional prosperity may be declining through time. For labour-market specialists, a key question for future research is how much this downward trend can be traced back to increased pressures in working life. That question currently remains open.

Item Type: Working or Discussion Paper (Working Paper)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Divisions: Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Well-being -- Measurement, Social indicators, Quality of work life
Series Name: Warwick economics research paper series (TWERPS)
Publisher: University of Warwick. Dept. of Economics
Place of Publication: Coventry
Date: 2010
Volume: Vol.2010
Number: No.950
Status: Not Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Open Access
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URI: http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/41091

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