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Why Are They So Happy When Others Are So Unhappy? The Theology And Ethics Of Economic Development

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  • C.E.S. WARBURTON, Ph.D.

Abstract

This paper investigates: (i) whether per capita income is positively correlated with the Happiness Index, (ii) whether per capita income can significantly increase the levels of happiness in a select number of countries, (iii) whether health and productivity positively and significantly correlate with happiness, and (iv) whether per capita income can significantly proxy the feelings of happiness. It finds that per capita income positively correlates with happiness and that per capita income elevates the Happiness Index for a select number of countries. The citizens of countries that have maintained a reasonable balance between the delivery of social services (development) and economic growth have produced impressive results about their state of happiness (welfare). The paper concludes that ethics (religious and/or secular) can no longer be ostracized from public policy decisions if nations want their citizens to be happy.

Suggested Citation

  • C.E.S. WARBURTON, Ph.D., 2022. "Why Are They So Happy When Others Are So Unhappy? The Theology And Ethics Of Economic Development," Applied Econometrics and International Development, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 22(1), pages 5-18.
    • Handle: RePEc:eaa:aeinde:v:22:y:2022:i:1_1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Angus Deaton, 2008. "Income, Health, and Well-Being around the World: Evidence from the Gallup World Poll," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 22(2), pages 53-72, Spring.
    2. WARBURTON,Christopher E.S., 2019. "Human Capital, Divergent Opportunities, And Development In The Us," Regional and Sectoral Economic Studies, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 19(1), pages 5-28.
    3. Ovaska, Tomi & Takashima, Ryo, 2006. "Economic policy and the level of self-perceived well-being: An international comparison," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 308-325, April.
    4. GUISAN, Maria-Carmen, 2021. "World Development For 1995-2020: Econometric Relationships Of Human Capital, Development, Quality Of Government And Life Satisfaction In 164 Countries," Applied Econometrics and International Development, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 21(2), pages 83-112.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Happiness; Ethics; Economic Development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development

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