Sacrificing happiness for development

COMMENTARY

Sacrificing happiness for development

Published: 17 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

I happen to agree with the adage that money alone can't buy happiness. So why do development policies seem to focus on economic growth with little consideration given to quality of life, social stability or public happiness?

Phra Ajarn Mitsuo Gavesako says economic growth does not necessarily coincide with moral development or social happiness.

A Gallup poll taken worldwide last month showed that Thailand ranked among the top in terms of citizens with positive attitudes, based on questions such as whether they were well-rested, smiled or laughed frequently or felt feelings of enjoyment. The Land of Smiles ranked sixth overall out of 148 countries, after Panama, Paraguay, El Salvador, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago.

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nitnoi
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Discussion 12 : 17 Jan 2013 at 21.1312
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It is a coping mechanism, sour grapes, and cultures....Luk Sanuk..is the key why thais is happy even sitting in the middle of beyond repaired society, call me pessimist you may.
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jacksprat
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Discussion 11 : 17 Jan 2013 at 19.5611
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Thailand has become much more materialistic over the decades I have lived here. I cannot say it has become any happier or more content, rather just the opposite.
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onlyme
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Discussion 10 : 17 Jan 2013 at 19.0710
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Ian - didn't realize we lived in the same village. Send me a message and we can get together to laugh or cry. Since about the year 2000 everything here seems to have followed the same pattern of overt consumerism.
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spiceman
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Discussion 9 : 17 Jan 2013 at 11.409
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Khun RonnieC #7, economists came up with Work & Leisure Model, assuming that each individual has different inclination towards Work & Leisure. Some may choose to "work" more and "play" less, and others, vice versa, as no one can "work" or "play" all the time. For those who are passionated about their "work" will see no difference between their "work" and "play." Have you heard, "I love my work so much and would have done it for free," or " I can't believe I got paid for doing this?" So, the key is to find a line of work that you can utilize your God's given gifts and talents. (more)
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dao
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Discussion 8 : 17 Jan 2013 at 10.438
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There is good progress and bad progress .
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Ian
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Discussion 7 : 17 Jan 2013 at 09.317
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"I am think that we must love Thailand before ourselves". a nice comment from ploydonut and it operates even at the lowest level, " we must love our village before ourselves". I live in a suburban village, over the last few years I have watched it degenerate from a community into a collection of self centred, selfish individuals, the same pattern in miniature as to what I see in this nation. Whilst it is possible to analyse the reasons, it would take more words than these comments allow.
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ronniec
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Discussion 6 : 17 Jan 2013 at 09.256
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3 - Spiceman: "Economic Growth (work) + Quality of Life (leisure) = Social Stability + Public Happiness (GDP)"
GDP = work (to earn) + spend. There is no quality of life or public happiness taken into account in the capitalist model that we live in. There is also no consideration of environment, sustainability and therefore the future of the planet, but hey, who cares, we're all happy with that aren't we?
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onlyme
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Discussion 5 : 17 Jan 2013 at 09.225
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Ignorance is bliss.
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pjt
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Discussion 4 : 17 Jan 2013 at 09.054
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The root of unhappiness is desire - this is one of Buddhism teachings as I understand. Whether or not you are an adherent, this has a ring of commonsense, although most people living their daily lives would struggle to give up desire totally (our society would collapse if we did). Is not the problem that we fail to place a limit on our desires - to decide when they are satisfied and move onto something else. Perhaps we should also consider another piece of wisdom 'he who knows enough is enough will always have enough' Lao Tzu. Even this is hard when all around us the input is that we have not got enough and are entitled to more
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spiceman
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Discussion 3 : 17 Jan 2013 at 07.023
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Economic Growth (work) + Quality of Life (leisure) = Social Stability + Public Happiness (GDP)

The above equation is pretty much from basic Labor Economic Theory. Who said we have to choose one over the others, as they are one of the same, like two sides of a coin. However, a society can choose the manner on how wealth can be created and distributed. In my humble opinion, each and every one of us should be given an equal opportunity for success as well as failure. And more production = more consumption and vice versa. It's work hard and play hard and vice versa. So, take your pick!
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Sacrificing happiness for development | Bangkok Post: opinion