Innumerable thinkers across history posit varying interpretations of their idea of happiness: eudaimonia, utilitarianism, hedonism, nirvana; all of them as subjective as they are far from superlative. Yet, there are specific objective indicators that can be implemented to assess happiness, in the case of the Happiness Index, for instance, such as psychological well-being, health, community, social support, education, environment, material well-being, work, governance, etc. - and happiness is discernibly rooted in the socio-political and cultural location of individuals and communities (Shrestha, 2022).
In today’s epoch, happiness is increasingly becoming an important and useful way to guide public policy and measure its effectiveness worldwide, while also being the primary driver to improve human-natural stewardship (Cho, 2015). However, the notion of well-being is far from universal - distinct cultures define happiness differently. Happiness varies across a country based on the overarching social structures, hierarchies, and inequalities that exist within that space, which, in turn, govern the overall well-being of individuals and communities (Brooks, 2021). The role of social determinants in contributing to the Happiness of a space and its inhabitants attests to the fact that effective policy interventions can ameliorate the societal fissures and faultlines behind discontentment and enhance happiness levels (Chugh, 2021). Through this essay, I would like to explore how, as subjective as the idea of happiness is, it is deeply embedded in the economic, sociocultural, and political ethos that governs a particular space; hence, meaningful efforts to alleviate the situation of the depressed through public policies can enhance the holistic well-being of people.
Following a notable history of skepticism surrounding happiness research and the subsequent evolution of the field, happiness has been examined, assessed, and studied across different disciplines - psychology, sociology, to name a few., - as it is a product of the social conditions of the time and space one is submerged in. The use of empirical methods and neuroscience to study happiness has yielded a multitude of blanket antecedents that induce the feeling of gaiety. The five factors that contribute to happiness as suggested by the American psychologist Ed Deiner are social relationships, money, society and culture, temperament/adaptation, and positive thinking styles (Conkle, 2008). All the determinants suggested by Deiner are products of one’s social climate, or social determinants, and hence exist outside of the individual’s autonomy to make necessary changes. Deiner's viewpoint attests that these determinants play a pivotal role in shaping an individual's well-being and satisfactory standards of living but may be difficult for the individual to modify independently due to the larger socio-pecuniary and cultural milieu (Warner, 2019). Researchers have also identified that constituents of happiness fall under three major categories - Health, Hope, and Harmony. According to them, the state of happiness varies across nations, and more prosperous countries are more likely to have a higher Happiness Index as opposed to developing middle- and low-income countries (Singh, 2013).
As these global
distinctions unfold, delving deeper into individual nations reveals a web of intricacies that underlie the varying shades of happiness within their borders. Specifically, the variation in organisational strategies and societal hierarchies across a country; and factors such as the rural-urban divide, for instance; serve as the primary reason behind the variation in happiness within a country.
Happiness Index Measurements have served as the most instrumental tool in gauging happiness levels of regions, communities, and nations in recent times. For example, the Gallup World Poll, the evaluation tool behind the Annual Happiness Rankings and the World Happiness Report, measures dimensions intrinsic to well-being, employment, law and order, food and shelter, migratory dynamics, individual health and vitality, communication networks, civic engagement, and financial issues. The interplay of these critical factors composes a Byzantine fabric that weaves the tapestry of societal happiness and welfare, fashioning a resonance across policy corridors and the aspirations of global communities (UW Data Collaborative).
To scrupulously understand the ties between happiness and the socio-economic context, we can take the example of the nation-state of India. Despite India’s continuous economic growth and development, it continues to rank poorly in human development indicators as subjective well-being in the country is not increasing along with the ascent in income. This phenomenon, while enigmatic, draws attention to a profound revelation - that the correlation between economic advancement and the mitigation of overall well-being is not as linear as convention might dictate. To understand the paradox of the absence of a direct relationship between economic growth and the betterment of well-being, we must tap into a deeper understanding of the influence of socio-economic and demographic factors on moulding subjective utility across diverse geographical and temporal landscapes (Lakshmanasamy, 2021).
Keeping in mind the rural-urban hierarchies prevalent in India, it is essential to recognise that the hierarchical caste system practised across India still plays a major role in determining life outcomes in rural areas and the whole of the country, adversely affecting the well-being of those in the lower rungs of the caste ladder. In these rural areas, where more than two-thirds of India’s population live, the entrenched caste divisions persistently pattern various aspects of life, defying the contemporary tide of globalisation and urbanisation (Sheff Economics Research, 2018). Additionally, caste-based discrimination, though officially outlawed, continues to be practised in subtler ways, effectively preserving the hierarchy. Drawing from the above observations, it is evident happiness is elementally the product of the social environment individuals and communities inhabit, and changing happiness entails changing subsisting social structures.
Grasping this inherent correlation between happiness and the context of society, the function of public policy in influencing the broader well-being of communities becomes even more apparent. Public policy can increase happiness across all walks of life - in both the public and private spheres - through a myriad of serviceable applications. One such avenue could be governments committing themselves to the goal of people’s well-being through a new form of
policymaking where policies are evaluated based on the amount of happiness they produce per expenditure. Thus, an unprecedented ethos emerges, advocating for a newfangled yardstick for policy evaluation - one where the litmus test for policies lies in their adeptness at fostering happiness relative to the resources invested. In this paradigm shift, the canvas of policy intervention carves out a harmonious work-life equilibrium, chiselling pathways toward equitable prosperity. This necessitates a wider view of the role of the state, in which it not only helps people to be better workers but also supports them in becoming better individuals. The idea also promotes mental well-being, acknowledging that a society's vibrancy rests upon nurturing the psyche of its citizens (Layard & Ward, 2020).
A range of impactful public policies can collectedly contribute to heightened happiness, primarily policies cultivating accessible education and healthcare, rendering a platform for individual growth and wellness. Tangentially, initiatives targeting income inequality and social safety nets attenuate economic burdens, forging a sense of security within societies.
Environmental policies, promoting sustainable development and conservation, can emphasise the interplay between ecological and human well-being, and gender equality policies can dismantle discrimination and promote inclusivity. Furthermore, policies addressing mental health awareness and reinforcement acknowledge emotional well-being's vital role in overall happiness. The successful synthesis of these policies can craft an all-encompassing mosaic of societal change and contentment (Scholars Strategy Network, 2014). By addressing these facets, governments have the capacity to shape societal well-being through a multidimensional approach that realises that economic growth alone is insufficient to ensure happiness. Crafting policies to enhance individual freedoms, social connections, and mental health are vital strides, all of which rely on the metamorphic power of governments in shaping a happier world by influencing diverse domains of well-being (Cotofan, 2023). To bring out the aforementioned changes, we require a revolution in our political and moral philosophies wherein we care not only about ourselves but about others around us as well, keeping in mind the collective welfare of the broader populace.
The assemblage of happiness within a nation unfurls from a variety of influences, spanning from economic circumstances to social hierarchies and cultural norms. This delicate interplay begets diverse well-being spectra across regions and communities; hence the potential of public policy in elevating happiness remains undeniable. By adopting a multifaceted approach, governments can shape policies that transcend economic growth, encompassing individual liberties, social bonds, and emotional well-being. The evolving paradigm of policy evaluation, measuring happiness vis-à-vis expenditure, illuminates a progressive course in governance. Recently, the global upheaval induced by the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the rhythm of everyday life and in cases where effective policies were promptly implemented, the ruptures were not as harsh as cases where they were not. This has underscored the paramountcy of well-crafted policies in navigating unparalleled challenges, highlighting the need for adaptable and comprehensive approaches to well-being. In conclusion, redefining happiness calls for the amalgamation of societal welfare and individual fulfilment, and public policy emerges as the guiding beacon in this transformation, orchestrating a symphony of prosperousness and equanimity for society as a whole.
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