February 22, 2006
On Economic Growth and Happiness
Once again Ross Gittins presents a refreshing perspective in his article, "Why all this living it up gets us down", in today's Sydney Morning Herald.
He starts by quoting the results of the recent Saulwick poll, which found that despite the fact that the majority of Australians think the Howard government has a poor record on health, education and environmental issues, by and large they support Howard due to his perceived good handling of the economy.
But has this economic growth led to greater contentment? More trouble with divorce, drugs, crime, depression and suicide would tend to suggest not.
Gittins goes on to examine the rising incidence of clinical depression, citing research done by the American psychologist Professor Martin Seligman that indicates depression is a disease which affects rich countries more than poor. Why? Seligman suggests four likely possibilities:
1. The rise of individualism;
2. The depredations of the self-esteem movement;
3. The rise of victimology;
4. The growth in short cuts to happiness.
As Gittins acknowledges, the "never-ending push for economic growth" cannot be blamed for the second and third of Seligman's suggestions.
'But economic rationalism venerates and promotes individualism, working to dismantle communitarian arrangements as "inefficient". And much of the growth in the production of goods and services we strive for comes from the ever-increasing sales of short cuts to happiness, not to mention all the lawyers making a quick buck by encouraging us to sue people who could be liable for our misfortunes.'
Interestingly, on the previous page a letter to the Editor from Owen Torr puts it rather more abruptly, perhaps a little unkindly:
'There are two types of Australians - those who vote for the good of their fellow Australians, and those who vote Liberal.'
I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt. But I wish they would think more deeply about the connection between economic policy, social outcomes and happiness. Kudos to Ross Gittins for drawing attention to this relationship.
Posted to Politics by Keith Pitty