The failure of market fundamentalism and the rapid rise of depression across the Western world spurred on advances and interest in happiness economics. The findings debunked the notion of a positive correlation between economic wealth and wellbeing. The public was ready to hear the message: Money doesn’t make us happy!
Support for egalitarian economic policy in the OECD countries swelled as an appeal to fairness became an argument from self-interest (everyone benefits from a more equal society; the Spirit Level became a pivotal text).
Political narratives feeding on competitiveness and jealousy were undermined as the ‘you don’t deserve that’ culture floundered. (Much easier to argue that an individual hasn’t ‘earned’ their wealth than it is to propose that they don’t deserve to be happy.)
All nations with high-income economies now determine their success through twin measures: GDP and happiness index.
The explosion of fresh, innovative thinking has been likened to the start of the Renaissance. Movements for democracy are gaining ground, fuelled by the energy of cross-class solidarity.
There are new dangers: We are seeing the mutation of the individualistic, zero-sum logic of capitalism to accommodate a world where happiness is the new commodity. Intrusive state policy has been enacted in an attempt to maximize wellbeing.
But there is optimism, too. While the political and ‘expert’ classes attempt to tell us why and how we can be happy, the ability of citizens to communicate and organize in the information age is making it difficult for them to re-assert their old control.
As new forms of happiness emerge every day, calls for open debate and democracy strengthen. We know that this new world will be swiftly co-opted unless we transfer power into the hands of the people.
Author: Niki Seth Smith 0
