University of British Columbia
Professor Emeritus in the Economics Department at the University of British Columbia; Co-Director of the Social Interactions, Identity and Well-being Program at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
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John Helliwell
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FROM John Helliwell
Which Way, L.A.?
Bhutan, the United Nations, and Gross National Happiness Forty years ago, the King of Bhutan, a Himalayan country of less than a million people, suggested that "happiness" should replace economic output as a measure of human advancement. Last week, his grandson – the current king – led a UN conference on " Happiness and Wellbeing : Defining a New Economic Paradigm." Which are the "happiest" countries? Who decides? What are the obstacles to reaching the UN's new goal?
To the Point
Gross National… Happiness? "Happiness" is a right enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. Is it a better measure of human "progress" than "Gross National Product?" The king of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan proposed the idea 40 years ago, and last week, his grandson -- the current king -- led a UN conference on " Happiness and Well-Being ." Canada, France and Britain are among the countries agreeing that measuring economics is not enough. But how can "happiness" be measured? Can it be achieved through government policy? Does Bhutan itself offer a good example? What about the United States?
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