The Happiness Policy Handbook
How to Make Happiness and Well-Being the Purpose of Your Government
Published on 10. September 2019
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-86571-924-8 (ISBN)
Description
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 includes:
A concise background on happiness science, indices and indicators, and happiness in public policy
Tools for formulating happiness policy and integrating happiness into administrative functions
A concept menu of happiness policies
Communicating happiness policy objectives to media and engaging with the community
A happiness policy screening tool for evaluating the happiness contribution of any policy
Policy perspectives from seasoned experts across sectors.
The Happiness Policy Handbook is the essential resource for policymakers and professionals working to integrate happiness and well-being into governmental processes and institutions.
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 includes:
A concise background on happiness science, indices and indicators, and happiness in public policy
Tools for formulating happiness policy and integrating happiness into administrative functions
A concept menu of happiness policies
Communicating happiness policy objectives to media and engaging with the community
A happiness policy screening tool for evaluating the happiness contribution of any policy
Policy perspectives from seasoned experts across sectors.
The Happiness Policy Handbook is the essential resource for policymakers and professionals working to integrate happiness and well-being into governmental processes and institutions.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Gabriola Island
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
20 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 228 mm
Width: 151 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
350 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-86571-924-8 (9780865719248)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Laura Musikanski | Rhonda Phillips | Jean Crowder
The Happiness Policy Handbook
How to Make Happiness and Well-Being the Purpose of Your Government
E-Book
05/2023
New Society Publishers
€19.25
Available for download
Persons
Laura Musikanski is Executive Director of the Happiness Alliance, the first nonprofit in the world providing resources, knowledge, and tools - including the Happiness Index - for integrating happiness into governments and institutions. She is author of Sustainability Decoded and How to Account for Sustainability. She lives in Seattle, WA.
Rhonda Phillips has conducted hands-on research with policy makers, community organizers, and in academia for over 30 years, and is the author or editor of 25 books. She is the Dean of Purdue Honors College and past president of the International Quality-of-Life Studies. She lives in West Lafayette, IN.
Jean Crowder served as a member of parliament (MP) in the Canadian government between 2004-2015, and has extensive experience as a policymaker. She worked for Human Resources Development Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Skills Training and Labour, and was a human resources consultant and manager at Malaspina University College. Crowder is a Happiness Alliance board member and lives in Duncan, BC.
Rhonda Phillips has conducted hands-on research with policy makers, community organizers, and in academia for over 30 years, and is the author or editor of 25 books. She is the Dean of Purdue Honors College and past president of the International Quality-of-Life Studies. She lives in West Lafayette, IN.
Jean Crowder served as a member of parliament (MP) in the Canadian government between 2004-2015, and has extensive experience as a policymaker. She worked for Human Resources Development Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Skills Training and Labour, and was a human resources consultant and manager at Malaspina University College. Crowder is a Happiness Alliance board member and lives in Duncan, BC.
Content
Acknowledgments
Authors' Welcome
Introduction
The Origins of the Happiness Policy Handbook
A Roadmap to the Handbook
Section 1: The Landscape of the Happiness Movement
1. Brief History of the Happiness Movement
An Evolution of Sustainable Development: The Happiness Movement
A Few Words about Terminology
2. What Happiness Policy Is and Why It Matters
Happiness Policy Makes Economic Sense
Easterlin Paradox
Income Inequality
Mental Health Care
Purchasing Habits
3. The Happiness-Sustainability Connection
Climate Change
The Local-Global Connection: Community Solutions to Sustainable Development
Connecting Sustainable Development to Happiness Through Indicators
4. Connections between Positive Psychology and the Happiness Movement
The Positive Psychology Movement
Happiness Determinants
Workplace Happiness
5. Moving Forward
Overcoming Impediments, Choosing Pathways
Connecting to Community
Criteria for Taking Action
Concluding Remarks on the Happiness Movement
Section 2: Happiness Action Plans for Policymakers
6. Action Plan: Happiness Proclamations
Example Proclamations
Working with the Media
7. Action Plan: Happiness Roles and Responsibilities
Integrating Happiness Roles and Responsibilities
Appointing Happiness Roles and Responsibilities
8. Action Plan: Community Engagement
Engaging Through Social Media
Convening a Happiness Council
Global Councils
Local Councils
Community Forums
Online Portals
Town Hall Meetings
World Cafe Style Meetings
9. Action Plan: Measuring Happiness
Subjective and Objective Indicators
How to Use Happiness Data in Brief
How Happiness Is Measured Using Surveys
How to Measure Happiness
The Happiness Index
10. Action Plan: A Tool for Policy: The Happiness Policy Screening Tool
Origin of Happiness Policy Screening Tool
Instructions for Using the Happiness Policy Screening Tool
Happiness Policy Screening Tool Scenario
Closing
Section 3: Appendices
A. Concept Menu of Happiness Policies
B. Happiness Lessons for the Workplace
C. Strategy Resources
D. The Happiness Proclamation
E. Model Press Releases for a Happiness Proclamation and for Announcing the Use of the Happiness Index
F. Model Happiness Minister or Officer Job Description
G. Social Media Guide
H. Questions and Answers for Happiness Survey Takers
I. The Happiness Index Questions
J. The Happiness Policy Screening Tool
Notes
Index
About the Authors
About New Society Publishers
Authors' Welcome
Introduction
The Origins of the Happiness Policy Handbook
A Roadmap to the Handbook
Section 1: The Landscape of the Happiness Movement
1. Brief History of the Happiness Movement
An Evolution of Sustainable Development: The Happiness Movement
A Few Words about Terminology
2. What Happiness Policy Is and Why It Matters
Happiness Policy Makes Economic Sense
Easterlin Paradox
Income Inequality
Mental Health Care
Purchasing Habits
3. The Happiness-Sustainability Connection
Climate Change
The Local-Global Connection: Community Solutions to Sustainable Development
Connecting Sustainable Development to Happiness Through Indicators
4. Connections between Positive Psychology and the Happiness Movement
The Positive Psychology Movement
Happiness Determinants
Workplace Happiness
5. Moving Forward
Overcoming Impediments, Choosing Pathways
Connecting to Community
Criteria for Taking Action
Concluding Remarks on the Happiness Movement
Section 2: Happiness Action Plans for Policymakers
6. Action Plan: Happiness Proclamations
Example Proclamations
Working with the Media
7. Action Plan: Happiness Roles and Responsibilities
Integrating Happiness Roles and Responsibilities
Appointing Happiness Roles and Responsibilities
8. Action Plan: Community Engagement
Engaging Through Social Media
Convening a Happiness Council
Global Councils
Local Councils
Community Forums
Online Portals
Town Hall Meetings
World Cafe Style Meetings
9. Action Plan: Measuring Happiness
Subjective and Objective Indicators
How to Use Happiness Data in Brief
How Happiness Is Measured Using Surveys
How to Measure Happiness
The Happiness Index
10. Action Plan: A Tool for Policy: The Happiness Policy Screening Tool
Origin of Happiness Policy Screening Tool
Instructions for Using the Happiness Policy Screening Tool
Happiness Policy Screening Tool Scenario
Closing
Section 3: Appendices
A. Concept Menu of Happiness Policies
B. Happiness Lessons for the Workplace
C. Strategy Resources
D. The Happiness Proclamation
E. Model Press Releases for a Happiness Proclamation and for Announcing the Use of the Happiness Index
F. Model Happiness Minister or Officer Job Description
G. Social Media Guide
H. Questions and Answers for Happiness Survey Takers
I. The Happiness Index Questions
J. The Happiness Policy Screening Tool
Notes
Index
About the Authors
About New Society Publishers