A provocative look at an area few economists dare to tread, by Australia's most read economic commentator. Ross Gittins distills the practical wisdom from all the recent scientific study of happiness by psychologists and economists. He argues that happiness isn't about maintaining a forced smile or a self-centred concern to maximise pleasure and minimise pain, but about living a satisfying life of endeavour, achievement and mutually rewarding relationships. Most of us are happy most of the time, but there is more we could do to increase our satisfaction. And a different approach by governments - with less emphasis on economic growth and efficiency, and more on preserving the planet and the social fabric - could add to 'national happiness'.
