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Trading Up the Happiness Ladder

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  • Dluhosch, Barbara

    (Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg)

  • Horgos, Daniel

    (Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg)

Abstract

How globalization affects happiness is highly disputed. Several studies use an index that amalgamates globalization’s different dimensions into a single variable. Unlike previous studies and in order to better illuminate its facets, we adopt a disaggregated perspective on trade (policy) data. Distinguishing actual trade flows and the option value of trade, we find the former to slightly depress happiness, the latter to significantly promote happiness. Segmentation of WVS-data shows that the positive connotation is concentrated in low-income countries still in the process of climbing the income ladder, thus backing the notion of a shift in values.

Suggested Citation

  • Dluhosch, Barbara & Horgos, Daniel, 2012. "Trading Up the Happiness Ladder," Working Paper 115/2012, Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:vhsuwp:2012_115
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    Cited by:

    1. Pablo de Pedraza & Martin Guzi & Kea Tijdens, 2020. "Life satisfaction of employees, labour market tightness and matching efficiency," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 42(3), pages 341-355, July.
    2. Barbara Dluhosch & Daniel Horgos, 2019. "International Competition Intensified: Job Satisfaction Sacrificed?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 143(2), pages 479-504, June.
    3. Andrés Rodríguez-Pose & Vassilis Tselios, 2019. "Well-being, Political Decentralisation and Governance Quality in Europe," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(1), pages 69-93, January.
    4. Barbara Dluhosch, 2021. "The role of perceptions about trade and inequality in the backlash against globalization," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 1(12), pages 1-24, December.
    5. Channary Khun & Sajal Lahiri & Sokchea Lim, 2015. "Do people really support trade restrictions? Cross-country evidence," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(1), pages 132-146, February.
    6. Barbara Dluhosch, 2021. "The Gender Gap in Globalization and Well-Being," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(1), pages 351-378, February.
    7. Barbara Dluhosch, 2018. "Trade, Inequality, and Subjective Well-Being: Getting at the Roots of the Backlash Against Globalization," LIS Working papers 741, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    8. Benjamin Schalembier, 2016. "The Impact of Exposure to Other Countries on Life Satisfaction: An International Application of the Relative Income Hypothesis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 128(1), pages 221-239, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Happiness; Well-Being; International Trade;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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