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Die Entwicklung des Lebensstandards im Dritten Reich – Eine glücksökonomische Perspektive

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  • Wahl Fabian

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to provide an explanation for the remarkable difference in the contemporary Germans’ positive self-assessment of their living conditions and the development of the most important economic welfare indicators (like GDP or consumption per capita) during the Third Reich. To explain this discrepancy, findings from the new research field of happiness economics are applied to the peacetime Third Reich to analyze the development of the standard of living in this period. To start with, the development of the most important economic determinants of happiness during the 1930s is examined, based on current life satisfaction studies. In the second step, the theory of adaption and aspiration is used to explain the growing satisfaction of the Germans after the Great Depression.

Suggested Citation

  • Wahl Fabian, 2013. "Die Entwicklung des Lebensstandards im Dritten Reich – Eine glücksökonomische Perspektive," Jahrbuch für Wirtschaftsgeschichte / Economic History Yearbook, De Gruyter, vol. 54(1), pages 89-110, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:jbwige:v:54:y:2013:i:1:p:89-110:n:6
    DOI: 10.1524/jbwg.2013.0006
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    1. Blanchflower, David G. & Oswald, Andrew J., 2004. "Well-being over time in Britain and the USA," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 88(7-8), pages 1359-1386, July.
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    5. Ada Ferrer-i-Carbonell & Paul Frijters, 2004. "How Important is Methodology for the estimates of the determinants of Happiness?," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 114(497), pages 641-659, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rainer Fremdling & Reiner Staeglin, 2014. "Editor's choice Output, national income, and expenditure: an input–output table of Germany in 1936," European Review of Economic History, European Historical Economics Society, vol. 18(4), pages 371-397.
    2. Spoerer Mark & Streb Jochen, 2014. "Die Weimarer Republik in der Weltwirtschaftskrise: Geschichte oder Erfahrung?," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, De Gruyter, vol. 15(4), pages 291-306, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic History; Third Reich; Happiness Economics; Standard of Living;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • N34 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: 1913-
    • N94 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Europe: 1913-
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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