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 ."
By Warren Olney • • 1 min read"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?
Warren Olney
former KCRW broadcaster
Christian Bordal
Managing Producer, Greater LA
Andrea Brody
Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast
Katie Cooper
Producer, 'One year Later'
John de Graaf
Happiness Initiative
John Helliwell
University of British Columbia
Sonja Lyubomirsky
University of California, Riverside