The Political Economy of Human Happiness
How Voters' Choices Determine the Quality of Life

Radcliff examines the question of how political outcomes in democratic societies determine the quality of life that citizens experience.

Benjamin Radcliff (Author)

9781107644427, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 25 March 2013

214 pages, 16 b/w illus. 16 tables
23.1 x 15.5 x 2 cm, 0.36 kg

'In The Political Economy of Human Happiness, Benjamin Radcliff poses a fundamental question for politics and political science: 'what specific public policies contribute to better lives?'. His immodest aspiration of providing 'an objective, empirical answer to this question' will rightly warm the hearts of those who see political science as a tool for social progress rather than a mere collection of intellectual puzzles.' Larry M. Bartels, European Political Science

Data, methods and theories of contemporary social science can be applied to resolve how political outcomes in democratic societies determine the quality of life that citizens experience. Radcliff seeks to provide an objective answer to the debate between left and right over what public policies best contribute to people leading positive and rewarding lives. Radcliff offers an empirical answer, relying on the same canons of reason and evidence required of any other issue amenable to study through social-scientific means. The analysis focuses on the consequences of three specific political issues: the welfare state and the general size of government, labor organization, and state efforts to protect workers and consumers through economic regulation. The results indicate that in each instance, the program of the Left best contributes to citizens leading more satisfying lives and, critically, that the benefits of greater happiness accrue to everyone in society, rich and poor alike.

1. The democratic pursuit of happiness
2. Market democracy
3. Citizens or market participants?
4. The scientific study of happiness
5. The size of the state
6. Labor unions and economic regulation
7. The American states
8. Between market and morality.

Subject Areas: Central government policies [JPQB], Central government [JPQ], Political parties [JPL], Social research & statistics [JHBC], Sociology [JHB]