Title:
|
Happiness and economic policies
|
Some modern happiness economists, such as Layard and Frank, propose
a policy of collectively reducing hours at work, based on the assumption
that concern about status is a fundamental property of human nature.
However, psychologists who subscribe to the self-determination theory
(SDT) and personality studies find that the attitude of social comparison
is inherently incompatible with the psychological process of happiness,
and suggest that people should change their competitive attitudes.
In line with these psychologists, the political philosopher Rawls and
the political economist Frey argue that fair and just institutions could
cultivate non-envious attitudes, which can then enhance happiness. Their
policies are compatible with psychological theories, since these policies
provide people psychological needs proposed by the SDT- autonomy,
competence and relatedness. I therefore conclude in my psychological
analysis of happiness policies in Chapter 2 that Rawls's and Frey's policy
can increase happiness while Layard's policy cannot help extreme status
lovers, but can help those caring about status moderately.
I then test my argument empirically in Chapter 3. The results support
my argument developed in Chapter 2. Moreover, there is evidence
suggesting the mechanism through which Layard's policy improves
happiness is not attainable for extreme status seekers: status lovers have
lower quality of family life. To the contrary, the results suggest that the
mechanism through which Rawls's and Frey's policy promotes happiness
is plausible.
Assuming that status seekers have negative marginal utility of family
hours, I establish theoretical models to show the possible inefficacy of
Layard's policy in Chapter 4. The model can also demonstrate that
Rawls's and Frey's policy of cultivating non-envious attitude can
promote happiness effectively.
|