This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/local-government-network/2013/mar/29/happiness-priority-policy-makers

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
The pursuit of happiness: contentment should be a government priority The pursuit of happiness: contentment should be a government priority
(6 months later)
Ironically enough, Chancellor George Osborne delivered his budget on the UN-designated International Day of Happiness. Despite 1p off beer duty, there was little to cheer for those of us who want to create a society where happiness, or subjective wellbeing as economists prefer to label it, is at the centre of policy making.Ironically enough, Chancellor George Osborne delivered his budget on the UN-designated International Day of Happiness. Despite 1p off beer duty, there was little to cheer for those of us who want to create a society where happiness, or subjective wellbeing as economists prefer to label it, is at the centre of policy making.
Measurement of happiness and wellbeing, what underpins them, and how they change over time are core elements of the Human City Institute (HCI) thinktank research programme. We aim to publish an updatable "human city index" for all local authorities in England by May 2013 to inform the happiness debate.Measurement of happiness and wellbeing, what underpins them, and how they change over time are core elements of the Human City Institute (HCI) thinktank research programme. We aim to publish an updatable "human city index" for all local authorities in England by May 2013 to inform the happiness debate.
As a starting point to understanding what constitute more "human" cities, HCI has chronicled a growing body of evidence about the importance of happiness and wellbeing to social and economic policy.As a starting point to understanding what constitute more "human" cities, HCI has chronicled a growing body of evidence about the importance of happiness and wellbeing to social and economic policy.
Richard Layard of the London School of Economics and the University of Warwick's Andrew Oswald have both recognised how levels of happiness and wellbeing have stalled in many developed countries despite considerable improvements in living standards. The New Economics Foundation has designed a Happy Planet Index to compare countries across three indicators: life expectancy, wellbeing and ecological footprint. The Young Foundation has undertaken a major research study around localised wellbeing in case study areas in England.Richard Layard of the London School of Economics and the University of Warwick's Andrew Oswald have both recognised how levels of happiness and wellbeing have stalled in many developed countries despite considerable improvements in living standards. The New Economics Foundation has designed a Happy Planet Index to compare countries across three indicators: life expectancy, wellbeing and ecological footprint. The Young Foundation has undertaken a major research study around localised wellbeing in case study areas in England.
The government has also shown an interest in what factors influence happiness in our society; the previous administration set up the Whitehall Wellbeing Group, while the coalition has established the General WellBeing survey to sit alongside GDP as an indicator of success.The government has also shown an interest in what factors influence happiness in our society; the previous administration set up the Whitehall Wellbeing Group, while the coalition has established the General WellBeing survey to sit alongside GDP as an indicator of success.
While much of the debate around happiness and wellbeing is novel, interest in these concepts goes back much further. Eudaimonic happiness originates from ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle and focuses on the concept of a "life well lived". The US was, of course, the first country to codify the pursuit of happiness in its constitution.While much of the debate around happiness and wellbeing is novel, interest in these concepts goes back much further. Eudaimonic happiness originates from ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle and focuses on the concept of a "life well lived". The US was, of course, the first country to codify the pursuit of happiness in its constitution.
Studies comparing richer countries point to the importance of inequality of wealth and income in determining happiness and wellbeing. Countries with relatively narrow inequalities, such as Sweden, tend to express higher levels of happiness than those with relatively high inequalities. In contrast, politicians put more emphasis on personal relationships, volunteering, community life and psychological interventions to enhance happiness and wellbeing.Studies comparing richer countries point to the importance of inequality of wealth and income in determining happiness and wellbeing. Countries with relatively narrow inequalities, such as Sweden, tend to express higher levels of happiness than those with relatively high inequalities. In contrast, politicians put more emphasis on personal relationships, volunteering, community life and psychological interventions to enhance happiness and wellbeing.
HCI's work has explored happiness and wellbeing in terms of sustainable human communities. We set out the 10 signs of the human city encompassing social justice, the built environment, integrity in public life, community participation, neighbourliness, lifelong learning, and personal health. But we are building our "human city index" to reflect more recent literature.HCI's work has explored happiness and wellbeing in terms of sustainable human communities. We set out the 10 signs of the human city encompassing social justice, the built environment, integrity in public life, community participation, neighbourliness, lifelong learning, and personal health. But we are building our "human city index" to reflect more recent literature.
The index is being created around three key domains of equality in wealth, income and life chances, satisfaction with neighbourhoods and local services, and quality of health, especially as expressed through localised mortality and morbidity rates. All these domains utilise a variety of national datasets that are available for English local authorities.The index is being created around three key domains of equality in wealth, income and life chances, satisfaction with neighbourhoods and local services, and quality of health, especially as expressed through localised mortality and morbidity rates. All these domains utilise a variety of national datasets that are available for English local authorities.
Our work to date compares income between and within local authority areas and shows the depth of inequality in England: the highest median weekly income is found in Chelsea and Fulham (£739) while the lowest is in Blackburn (£336), a gap of £403 beween the two.Our work to date compares income between and within local authority areas and shows the depth of inequality in England: the highest median weekly income is found in Chelsea and Fulham (£739) while the lowest is in Blackburn (£336), a gap of £403 beween the two.
Satisfaction with neighbourhoods varies considerably between English local authorities from around 60% to more than 90%. This is important because place has considerable power in determining life expectancy: a study we carried out in Birmingham showed that people living in inner city areas can expect to live a decade less than those residing in the leafier suburbs.Satisfaction with neighbourhoods varies considerably between English local authorities from around 60% to more than 90%. This is important because place has considerable power in determining life expectancy: a study we carried out in Birmingham showed that people living in inner city areas can expect to live a decade less than those residing in the leafier suburbs.
What HCI hopes to achieve by publishing this index is to question how more human communities can be developed by concentrating upon localised solutions alone. Localism and the transfer of assets to disadvantaged communities might be key lines of policy development. Yet our research stresses that macro, national solutions are also required – especially those that reduce inequality in wealth, health and life chances.What HCI hopes to achieve by publishing this index is to question how more human communities can be developed by concentrating upon localised solutions alone. Localism and the transfer of assets to disadvantaged communities might be key lines of policy development. Yet our research stresses that macro, national solutions are also required – especially those that reduce inequality in wealth, health and life chances.
Improving happiness and wellbeing will require redistribution of national assets – perhaps incorporating some aspects of pre-distribution – to counter the growth in inequality over the last 30 years.Improving happiness and wellbeing will require redistribution of national assets – perhaps incorporating some aspects of pre-distribution – to counter the growth in inequality over the last 30 years.
Kevin Gulliver is director at the Human City Institute.Kevin Gulliver is director at the Human City Institute.
This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. Join the local government network for news, views and the latest job vacanciesThis content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. Join the local government network for news, views and the latest job vacancies
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.