What makes people happy? Until fairly recently, this question could only be answered anecdotally or perhaps philosophically. However, as former Harvard University President Derek Bok explains in “The Politics of Happiness,” that is changing with the advent of happiness research, a relatively new field that is finally gathering empirical data on people’s general satisfaction and the pleasure or displeasure they derive from certain activities.
Bok not only lays out what these researchers are finding, but he also identifies how government officials can use these studies as they design and evaluate policies. Some of the findings are far from surprising, such as research showing that solid marriages, deep friendships, involvement in charitable activities and residence in a stable democracy all strongly correlate with happiness.
But others, such as the notion that humans are poor judges of what makes them happy, contradict expectations. As an example, Bok points out that in recent decades Americans have watched much more TV, even though studies show we are not as happy in front of the tube as we are playing with our children or going for a jog. Furthermore, he argues, many people cling to the idea that increased wealth will make them happier, but research demonstrates that this is mostly untrue.
Not only does individual prosperity fail to match up with contentment, but Bok notes that average levels of happiness in the United States have barely risen over the past half-century, even as our economy has grown substantially. And that’s where government comes into the picture.
“If happiness has changed so little over decades of increasing prosperity, does it make much sense for public officials to attach such importance to economic growth as a measure of the nation’s progress?” he asks.
Bok is not suggesting we give up on economic expansion, but he encourages officials to consider other measures of success.
Policymakers working on health care reform could take a closer look at sleep disorders, depression and chronic pain, afflictions that are low-profile but widespread, accounting for a great deal of unhappiness.
With his clear analysis and outside-the-box ideas, Bok encourages thoughtful consideration about what we should want for ourselves and expect from our government.
