The Loss of Happiness in Market Democracies / Aileen M. Kelly.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kelly, Aileen M., Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Economics--Moral and ethical aspects.

Economics.

Economics--Sociological aspects.

Money--Moral and ethical aspects.

Money.

Quality of life.

Physical Description:

1 online resource

Place of Publication:

New Haven, CT : Yale University Press, [1988]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Despite the fact that citizens of advanced market democracies are satisfied with their material progress, many are haunted by a spirit of unhappiness. There is evidence of a rising tide of clinical depression in most advanced societies, and in the United States studies have documented a decline in the number of people who regard themselves as happy. Although our political and economic systems are based on the utilitarian philosophy of happiness-the greatest good for the greatest number-they seem to have contributed to our dissatisfaction with life. This book investigates why this is so.Drawing on extensive research in such fields as quality of life, economics, politics, sociology, psychology, and biology, Robert E. Lane presents a challenging thesis. He shows that the main sources of well-being in advanced economies are friendships and a good family life and that, once one is beyond the poverty level, a larger income contributes almost nothing to happiness. In fact, as prosperity increases, there is a tragic erosion of family solidarity and community integration, and individuals become more and more distrustful of each other and their political institutions. Lane urges that we alter our priorities so that we increase our levels of companionship even at the risk of reducing our income.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Acknowledgments

1. Shadow on the Land

2. Unhappiness in Our Time

3. Happiness as an Endowment: Evolution, the Fall from Grace, and Devalued Children

4. Why Money Doesn't Buy Happiness for Most of Us

5. Companionship or Income?

6. Searching for Lost Companions in Market Democracies

Appendix to Chapter 6. Community Characteristics by Size of Place

7. Gaining Felicity While Losing Income?

8. Materialism in Market Democracies

9. Is Well-Being a Market Externality?

10. Pain and Loneliness in a Consumers' Paradise

11. Rising Malaise at Democracy's Feast

12. Do Democratic Processes Contribute to Ill-Being?

13. The Pain of Self-Determination in Democracy

14. Companionate Democracy

15. Political Theory of Well-Being

16. Are People the Best Judges of Their Own Well-Being

17. Self-Inspired Pain

18. The Way Home

Appendix. Measures of Well-Being and Depression

Notes:

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 24. Apr 2020)

ISBN:

0-300-19131-6

OCLC:

1059282577