Ruut Veenhoven,
Erasmus University Rotterdam and University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
Paper presented at the dialogue on 'Gross National Happiness', Woudschoten, Zeist, The
Netherlands, January 14-15 2000
ABSTRACT
One of the goals of developmental policy is to create greater happiness for a greater
number. Realization of that ambition requires understanding of happiness. The following
questions must be answered: 1) What is happiness precisely? 2) Can happiness be measured?
3) How happy are people presently? 4) What causes us to be happy or unhappy? 5) Can
happiness be raised lastingly? This paper takes stock of the available answers and links
these to the Bhutanese ambition of promoting 'Gross 'National Happiness'.