Gross National Happiness

Subtitle: Why Happiness Matters for America and How We Can Get More of It

About the Title:  Happiness is central to the idea of America: along with life and liberty, the Founding Fathers listed "the pursuit of happiness" as a fundamental right in the Declaration of Independence. Yet little has been done since to find out what actually makes America a happy nation. And while our leaders make all sorts of promises to the American people, they rarely speak of—or pursue—happiness as a national goal. What would our nation look like if they did?

 

In Gross National Happiness, Arthur Brooks reveals the main sources of bliss and misery in America. Based on an enormous and unbiased array of hard data, he offers up some very unconventional wisdom about our happiness as individuals and as a nation.

 

For instance:

 

"Arthur Brooks may be the most innovative and creative analyst of public policy in America today. His insights are in a different league and may lead to an entirely new approach to thinking through public policy. Gross National Happiness is a must read for every person who wants to understand what policies America needs." — Newt Gingrich

 

"Arthur Brooks continues to be one of the most readable and insightful writers in America, primarily  because rather than relying on anecdotal information to make his arguments, he actually does (gulp) research!" — www.townhall.com

Copyright: 2008