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Ekonomie a štěstí: proč více někdy není lépe
[Economics and Happiness: Why More is Sometimes not Better]

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  • Lubomír Mlčoch

Abstract

The author raises doubts about a sense of "catching up" and an idolatry of HDP's growth. His argumentation is based on the longitudinal international research of the link "economics-happiness" at the frontier between economics and psychology. The rationality of economic science "more is better" is bounded by environmental and relational externalities: it is just what a "theory of happiness" argues against a "joyless economy". The family-household is an old istitution esp. loosing in a competition with the market economy. The article stresses a role of "relational goods" explaining why more is sometimes less. The loss of happiness in market democracies (R.Lane) is the reason for a crisis of economic paradigm; it has a chance to be healed by a switch from the principle of imperial equivalence to a reciprocity (economy of communion). Implications for economic policies based on a "science of happiness" reverse the link "economics-happiness" making from HDP growth a by-product of our effort for happiness.

Suggested Citation

  • Lubomír Mlčoch, 2007. "Ekonomie a štěstí: proč více někdy není lépe [Economics and Happiness: Why More is Sometimes not Better]," Politická ekonomie, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2007(2), pages 147-163.
    • Handle: RePEc:prg:jnlpol:v:2007:y:2007:i:2:id:594:p:147-163
    DOI: 10.18267/j.polek.594
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oswald, Andrew J, 1997. "Happiness and Economic Performance," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 107(445), pages 1815-1831, November.
    2. Bruno S. Frey & Alois Stutzer, 2002. "What Can Economists Learn from Happiness Research?," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 40(2), pages 402-435, June.
    3. Bruno S. Frey, 1997. "Not Just for the Money," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1183.
    4. Charles Kenny, 1999. "Does Growth Cause Happiness, or Does Happiness Cause Growth?," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(1), pages 3-25, February.
    5. Lane,Robert E., 1991. "The Market Experience," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521407373.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic rationality vs. subjective happiness; equivalence vs. reciprocity; goods; positional goods; relational goods; economics of family; economy of communion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A12 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Other Disciplines
    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • B40 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - General
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General

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