What is national wellbeing and what is progress? Why measure these
definitions? Why are measures beyond economic performance needed and how
will they be used? How do we measure national wellbeing & turn the
definitions into observable quantities? Where are we now and where to
next?
These questions are asked and answered in this much needed, timely
book.
The Wellbeing of Nations provides an accessible and comprehensive
overview of the measurement of national well-being, examining whether
national wellbeing is more than the sum of the wellbeing of everyone in
the country, and identifying and reviewing requirements for new
measures. It begins with definitions, describes how to operationalize
those definitions, and takes a critical look at the uses to which such
measures are to be put. The authors examine initiatives from around the
world, using the UK 'measuring national wellbeing programme' as a case
study throughout the book, along with case studies drawn from other
countries, as well as discussion of the position in some countries not
yet drawn into the national wellbeing scene.