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Building sustainability through greater happiness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

Stefano Bartolini
Stefano Bartolini*
Affiliation:
University of Siena, Italy
*
Stefano Bartolini, Department of Political Economy and Statistics, University of Siena, Piazza San Francesco 7, 53100 Siena, Italy. Email: stefano.bartolini@unisi.it
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Abstract

The current unsustainable growth of the world economy is largely a consequence of the crisis of social capital experienced by much of the world’s population. Declining social capital leads economies towards excessive growth, because people seek, in economic affluence, compensation for emotional distress and loss of resources caused by scarce social and affective relationships. To slow down economic growth requires an increase in social capital that is a fundamental contributor to happiness. From a wide range of possible approaches to increasing present happiness, this article suggests policies that would shift the economy to a more sustainable path. It focuses on a more politically sustainable set of proposals for a green ‘new deal’ than some of those currently under discussion.

Keywords

A13D63D90E20F01I31O10O40Common goodecologismeconomic growthenvironmentalismgreen economyhappinessnegative endogenous growthnegative externalitiesprivate affluencesocial capitalsocial stresswell-being

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