The We Society cover image

The We Society

S5 Ep1: Should governments care about wellbeing? with Professor Richard Layard

Mar 13, 2024
On the podcast, they discuss the importance of measuring happiness for societal progress, the impact of a national mental health program, government intervention in societal values, addressing the training divide, and exploring well-being through social science perspectives.
33:50

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Governments should prioritize well-being over GDP to improve societal happiness.
  • Key determinants of well-being include health, relationships, and community engagement, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to happiness.

Deep dives

The Evolution from Economics to Well-Being

Professor Lord Richard Leard transitioned from focusing on unemployment and income inequality to a broader attention on well-being as a paramount societal indicator. This shift stemmed from the conviction that a good society is one where individuals feel fulfilled and satisfied. By emphasizing the importance of active labor market policies and recognizing the strong impact of people's internal experiences on societal well-being, Professor Leard advocates for a comprehensive approach that considers happiness within government policy.

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