The Perspective of Happiness Economics and Felicitate Policy in Lithuania
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Abstract
Reorientation of society development is the objective of policy in more than one country at present, but continuous economic extention models are vital in Lithuania up to now. There is lack of scientific articles about happiness economics and its principles in Lithuania. The main facts about happiness economics and felicitate policy are presented in this article. It might be expected, that some ideas posed in the article will help to implement the new policy approach in many areas of public life. The key goals of felicitate policy are to change the social-economic development indicators, to improve asset and income utilization, and labor relations, to support a happy family, to focus on happy personality formation, to increase satisfaction with the health care system, the quality of state management, and social capital.
The aim of the research was to analyse the attitudes toward happiness economics.
The research was conducted in 2011 - 2012. The methods applied were questionnaire, group discussion and semi-structured interview. The first group consisted of 429 adult persons who had the experience of communication with politicians, the second group - 67 candidats of Lithuanian Parliament election and their staff members. The research results revealed the fact that 27 (6,2 %) participants of the first group and 37 (55 %) were familiar with happiness economics and felicitate policy. There was a difference in the groups attitudes toward the inclusion of GNH (gross national happiness) index in national statistics. Positive attitudes toward investing in creation of self-actualizing working conditions and reduction in working time were expressed by more than half of participants. Subjective satisfaction with the health care system functioning was expressed by 10 % of participants. Attitudes toward development of happy personality as self-development task were expressed by 80 % of participants. Acceptance of investments in happier families living was expressed by the half of participants. The research revealed rather controversal attitudes toward state management. The main state management evaluation criteria are the GDP (gross domestic product), MMA (minimum monthly wage), average salary, and growth of pensions. Three-quarters of participants supported the basic felicitate policy ideas in the field of public administration, such as facilitation of preparation to referendum and direct election of heads of government institutions.
The analysis of research results discovered the fact, that the happiness economics concept is known insufficiently by Lithuanian society and politicians, although in some areas of happiness economics application of its principles would be appreciated
The aim of the research was to analyse the attitudes toward happiness economics.
The research was conducted in 2011 - 2012. The methods applied were questionnaire, group discussion and semi-structured interview. The first group consisted of 429 adult persons who had the experience of communication with politicians, the second group - 67 candidats of Lithuanian Parliament election and their staff members. The research results revealed the fact that 27 (6,2 %) participants of the first group and 37 (55 %) were familiar with happiness economics and felicitate policy. There was a difference in the groups attitudes toward the inclusion of GNH (gross national happiness) index in national statistics. Positive attitudes toward investing in creation of self-actualizing working conditions and reduction in working time were expressed by more than half of participants. Subjective satisfaction with the health care system functioning was expressed by 10 % of participants. Attitudes toward development of happy personality as self-development task were expressed by 80 % of participants. Acceptance of investments in happier families living was expressed by the half of participants. The research revealed rather controversal attitudes toward state management. The main state management evaluation criteria are the GDP (gross domestic product), MMA (minimum monthly wage), average salary, and growth of pensions. Three-quarters of participants supported the basic felicitate policy ideas in the field of public administration, such as facilitation of preparation to referendum and direct election of heads of government institutions.
The analysis of research results discovered the fact, that the happiness economics concept is known insufficiently by Lithuanian society and politicians, although in some areas of happiness economics application of its principles would be appreciated
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