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on Economics of Happiness |
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Issue of 2017‒11‒19
two papers chosen by |
| By: | VAN DAMME Maike |
| Abstract: | To what extent is there an association between housing density and divorce? And if so, is it a causal relationship? Housing space may affect the probability of divorcing because of stress, lower subjective well-being, and poor mental health, any of which could put pressure on the relationship with the partner and eventually cause a break-up. Using the Luxembourgish PSELL 2003-2014, we operationalize overcrowding with both an objective and a subjective measure. We check for the following confounding factors: financial difficulties, home ownership, and nationality. We find that there is no significant association between housing density and divorce once confounders are taken into account, not to mention causality. Instead, home ownership turns out to be of the utmost importance in explaining the bivariate association between housing density and union dissolution. |
| Keywords: | divorce; housing; overcrowding; spuriousness; union dissolution |
| JEL: | A10 J12 R31 Y90 |
| Date: | 2017–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:irs:cepswp:2017-15&r=hap |
| By: | Luisa Montuschi |
| Abstract: | RESUMEN Tradicionalmente el PIB había sido el indicador utilizado para medir el nivel de actividad, el desarrollo global de la sociedad, el progreso y el bienestar. Pero nuevas demandas han ido surgiendo en el siglo XXI y el PIB ya no puede medirlas y tampoco orientar las políticas para su logro. Han comenzado a plantearse impensadas preguntas del tipo “¿Los gobiernos deben orientar sus políticas hacia el crecimiento o hacia la felicidad?”. Con el objetivo explícito de lograr un indicador que pudiera superar las limitaciones señaladas surgió la organización Social Progress Imperative que orientó sus primeros esfuerzos a la elaboración de un Social Progress Index que se esperaba fuera utilizado para “informar e influir sobre las políticas e instituciones en todo el mundo”. Se ha señalado que este indicador estaría fuertemente relacionado con el problema de la felicidad. Pero también se han ido elaborando indicadores más específicos de la felicidad y se sostiene que los mismos constituyen medidas adecuadas del progreso social. Probablemente el más reconocido sea el Gross National Happiness Index publicado anualmente a partir de 2012 en el World Happiness Report. Estos indicadores son analizados en el presente trabajo para períodos recientes con particular referencia al caso argentino. ECONOMIC GROWTH, SOCIAL PROGRESS AND HAPPINESS SUMMARY Traditionally GDP had been the indicator used to measure the level of activity, the overall development of society, progress and welfare. But new demands have been emerging in the 21st century and GDP can no longer measure them nor guide policies for their achievement. Unthinkable questions such as "Should governments orient their policies toward growth or toward happiness?" have arisen. With the explicit aim of achieving an indicator that could overcome the above mentioned limitations, the Social Progress Imperative Organization, directed its first efforts towards the elaboration of a Social Progress Index that was expected to be used to "inform and influence policies and institutions all over the world". It has been pointed out that this indicator would be strongly related to the problem of happiness. But more specific indicators of happiness have also been developed and it is argued that they are also adequate measures of social progress. Probably the most recognized is the Gross National Happiness Index published annually since 2012 in the World Happiness Report. These indicators are analyzed in the present paper for recent periods with particular reference to the Argentine case. |
| JEL: | A13 I31 |
| Date: | 2017–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cem:doctra:620&r=hap |