Frey, Bruno S. and Stutzer, Alois . (2012) The use of happiness research for public policy. Social Choice and Welfare, Vol.38 (No.4). pp. 659-674. ISSN 0176-1714

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Abstract

Research on happiness tends to follow a "benevolent dictator" approach where politicians pursue people's happiness. This paper takes an antithetic approach based on the insights of public choice theory. First, we inquire how the results of happiness research may be used to improve the choice of institutions. Second, we show that the policy approach matters for the choice of research questions and the kind of knowledge happiness research aims to provide. Third, we emphasize that there is no shortcut to an optimal policy maximizing some happiness indicator or social welfare function since governments have an incentive to manipulate this indicator.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School > Behavioural Science
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Happiness -- Research, Happiness -- Political aspects, Public policy, Social choice
Journal or Publication Title:	Social Choice and Welfare
Publisher:	Springer
ISSN:	0176-1714
Date:	2012
Volume:	Vol.38
Number:	No.4
Page Range:	pp. 659-674
Identification Number:	10.1007/s00355-011-0629-z
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
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URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/48792

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