ABSTRACT
Phrases such as ‘quality of life’ and ‘life satisfaction’ have been used to evaluate the well-being of individuals and societies. It is used in contexts when rising development has led to enhanced leisure and increased happiness. Noting the ills of reckless development, the term ‘sustainable development’ is utilised to balance social and economic progress. Evidence shows that as incomes of individuals and societies have risen, so have standards of living. However, indices of happiness and life satisfaction in societies have remained constant. For the poor, rising incomes have led to greater happiness. For the rich, getting richer has not increased happiness. This chapter examines data from representative national surveys carried out over three decades. It shows that happiness indices have risen in a majority of nations. However, data suggest that rising incomes do not result in individual happiness. Over recent decades, economic development and social tolerance have increased the propensity of people to have greater opportunities of free choice. But questions are raised whether societal and individual happiness have increased. The chapter offers solutions for those trapped on the ‘hedonic treadmill’ and others afflicted by the social comparison theory.
