Happiness: A World Map

Before discussing an alternative approach, we first clarify dominate understandings of happiness and well-being. How is happiness currently being imagined? How does this view of happiness shape views of our own society and the wider world? Why has such a view evolved and become dominant? As discussed in the previous chapter, the past decade has witnessed a remarkable shift away from GDP as proxy for happiness and well-being. Existing assumptions are being critically examined, and new conceptualizations put forth. In this chapter, we aim to sketch the broader historical and intellectual contexts leading up to the current surge in interest around these themes. This discussion sets the stage for the next chapter, wherein we look more deeply at key definitions, new forms of measurement, and—most importantly—inherent limitations therein.