The Happiness Policy Handbook: How to Make Happiness and Well-Being the Purpose of Your Government

by Laura Musikanski, Rhonda Phillips, Jean Crowder

Build a better society through happiness policy Thomas Jefferson said that “the purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness.” Yet only now, 270 years later, is the happiness of citizens starting to be taken seriously as the purpose of government. While happiness science is advancing rapidly, and governments and organizations are creating indices for measuring happiness, there is little practical information on how to create policy to advance happiness. Drawing from a deep well of expertise and experience, The Happiness Policy Handbook is the first step-by-step guide for integrating happiness into government policy at all levels. Coverage The Happiness Policy Handbook is the essential resource for policymakers and professionals working to integrate happiness and well-being into governmental processes and institutions.

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2019

Reviews

[Like_magic · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I intended to get out of this book, but even going into it with an open mind, I don't think I got too much out of it.

The stated audience of this book seems to be policy makers or government officials but even given that, there are actually not any significant, non-obvious policy recommendations aside from: address the environment, try and change the way the media operates, help people find jobs that are meaningful once they can provide for themselves, take mental health care seriously, and solve income inequality. Finally, the author states that people at all levels need to accept the movement towards happiness.

But having said that, these things are only what to do, not ways that we could possibly do them. For example, it is not so easy to convince the media (most of which are businesses in the end and thus dedicated to getting attention - see the concept of yellow journalism) to change their ways, or even to take a concept such as this seriously.

In conclusion, this book is somewhat useful if you did not know about the issues I mentioned in my first paragraph (the author dedicates about a paragraph (?) to each concept). But if you are already aware of those things (and most prospective readers will be), this book will have no use for you. Will not re-read.

[M.J. McDermott · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book that taught me some things about designing a government around ideas of wellness. A little bit challenging to read. Probably better for policy people. But, like I said, impressive ideas . . . like studies showing that the most impactful thing that a community can do to make is "happier" is working on MENTAL HEALTH!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introduction to the idea of happiness policy - clearly intended for an audience actively working in government policy. Provides resources, rationales, examples and templates. A bit of a dry read for a layperson- but sparked my interest in this idea - particularly one of the appendices on happiness lessons for the workplace.

[Max Goshert · Rating 2 out of 5]

While an interesting concept, this book provides a very muddled, drawn out description of what should have been a short review of happiness policy.