The Illusion of Well-Being

The use of measures of economic output to guide policymaking has been criticized for decades because of their weak ties to human well-being. Recently, many scholars and politicians have called for measures of happiness or subjective well-being to be used to guide policy in people's true interests.In The Illusion of Well-Being, Mark D. White explains why using happiness as a tool for policymaking is misguided and unethical. Happiness is too vague a term to define, and too general a concept, to measure in a way that captures people's true feelings. He extends this critique to well-being in general and concludes that no measure of well-being can do justice to people's true interests, which are complex, multifaceted, and subjective.White suggests instead that policymaking be conducted according to respect and responsiveness, promoting the true interests of citizens while addressing their real needs, and devoting government resources to where they can do the most good.

The use of measures of economic output to guide policymaking has been criticized for decades because of their weak ties to human well-being. Recently, many scholars and politicians have called for measures of happiness or subjective well-being to be used to guide policy in people's true interests. In The Illusion of Well-Being, Mark D. White explains why using happiness as a tool for policymaking is misguided and unethical. Happiness is too vague a term to define, and too general a concept, to measure in a way that captures people's true feelings. He extends this critique to well-being in general and concludes that no measure of well-being can do justice to people's true interests, which are complex, multifaceted, and subjective. White suggests instead that policymaking be conducted according to respect and responsiveness, promoting the true interests of citizens while addressing their real needs, and devoting government resources to where they can do the most good.

1. Happiness. . . in which we try to stop a bad idea before it grabs holdThe Case for HappinessThe Problems with HappinessMuch Ado about Happiness2. Well-Being. . . in which we cast a wider net and catch a much larger fishWhat Is Well-Being?PreferencesMaking Preferences 'Better'From Preferences to WelfareMuch Ado about Preferences Too3. Interests. . . in which we clarify what's really importantInterests: What Matters to UsValue SubstitutionWhat About Care?4. Respect. . . in which we explain how things ought to be doneOn Measurement, Maximization, and RulesProcess versus OutcomesPolicymaking Based on Respect and ResponsivenessWhat If Someone Gets Hurt?What Should the Government Do, Then?