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The Relevance of Richard A. Easterlin’s Groundbreaking Work. A Historical Perspective

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The Economics of Happiness

Abstract

The Easterlin Paradox emerged within a particular historical context; economics moved from an early interest in happiness during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to its complete neglect during the first decades of the twentieth century. Due to this neglect economics faced serious limitations to address well-being issues and to contribute to happiness in societies. The chapter presents the evolution of economics in order to show why Richard A. Easterlin’s pioneer work in happiness and economics is groundbreaking; in fact, it constitutes the foundation of a new area in economics: Happiness economics. The chapter analyzes the emergence of happiness economics as well as its consequences and contributions to economics.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge the assistance of Humberto Charles Leija in reviewing and editing all chapters in the book.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FLACSO-México & UPAEP, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México, Mexico

    Mariano Rojas

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  1. Mariano Rojas
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. FLACSO-México & UPAEP, Tlalpan, Ciudad de México, Mexico

    Mariano Rojas

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Rojas, M. (2019). The Relevance of Richard A. Easterlin’s Groundbreaking Work. A Historical Perspective. In: Rojas, M. (eds) The Economics of Happiness. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15835-4_1

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