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Happiness Maximization by the Government

In: Economics of Happiness

Author

Listed:
  • Bruno S. Frey

    (University of Basel
    CREMA, Center for Research in Economics, Management and the Arts)

Abstract

Fundamental arguments speak against politicians attempting to maximize the aggregate subjective well-being index of their country’s population. This approach to economic policy corresponds to the idea of a “benevolent dictator” who determines from above what is good for the people. Such an assumption is naïve. Once the maximization of the aggregate happiness index of the population is taken to be the official goal of economic and social policy, one can no longer trust that survey respondents answer any questions about their subjective life satisfaction in an unbiased way. When citizens’ happiness is taken as the measuring rod of politics, government politicians will make an effort to manipulate the aggregate happiness index in their favour. For both these reasons, the subjective well-being data are no longer a reliable measure of people’s happiness. Governments should not be asked to maximize happiness.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno S. Frey, 2018. "Happiness Maximization by the Government," SpringerBriefs in Economics, in: Economics of Happiness, chapter 0, pages 29-31, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:spbchp:978-3-319-75807-7_6
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75807-7_6
    as

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