Economist’s Lessons on Happiness

Richard A. Easterlin is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, a Distinguished Fellow of the American Economic Association, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.  He is a former president of the Population Association of America, Economic History Association and Western Economic Association International.

• Introduction.- Part I: First Lessons.- Measuring Happiness.- Does Money Make People Happy?.- How Does Health Affect Happiness?.- Family Life and Happiness.- How Can I Increase My Happiness?.- Part II: Next Lessons.- Can Government Increase My Happiness: Transition Countries.- Can Government Increase My Happiness: Nordic Countries.- Happiness or GDP?.- Part III: Q & A.- Who Is Happier—Young or Old? Women or Men?.- More on Money and Happiness.- What About Democracy, Religion, Charity, Volunteering, Etc.?.- Who to Believe?  Psychology or Economics?.- Critiquing the Paradox.- Part IV: History Lessons.- Dawn of the Happiness Revolution.- Dream on, Professor!.

“The book is primarily aimed at undergraduate students in the social sciences who might be taking a first course on happiness economics. … Indeed, and more generally, the book has an informal feel. … the book is both a great personal summary of Easterlin’s accumulated experience of working with subjective wellbeing data and an important rallying call for the social sciences to generate new lessons with which to increase wellbeing across the globe.” (Caspar Kaiser, Journal of Happiness Studies, Vol. 23, 2022)“An Economist’s Lessons on Happiness reveals the results of happiness studies in clear and concise chapters which are structured as if they are a college lecture. … The students are also a tool that reveals the intended audience for the book—it is written for the popular audience rather than the expert reader. … He suggests that we live in a time in which well-being is being better articulated, understood, and prioritized than ever before.” (Robert Biswas‑Diener, Journal of Happiness Studies, April 1, 2022)“An Economist’s Lessons on Happiness is a captivating and enlightening journey through many different facets of happiness. … The concepts are well explained and easy to apply. … This book provides a satisfying, holistic perspective on the many factors contributing to happiness in an educational and personable read. This is a great opportunity to assess whether we are living a life that is true to ourselves, and to identify areas for change and improvement.” (Tara Dean, The Psychologist, thepsychologist.bps.org.uk, Vol. 34, July, 2021)“An Economist’s Lessons on Happiness: Farewell, Dismal Science! … is the fruit of a lifetime of his own research and that of fellow economists and psychologists dedicated to understanding and improving happiness — whether of individuals or nations.” (Susan Bell, dornsife.usc.edu, March 17, 2021)