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 During the cuts, there was no public policy dimension of the cutting criteria that seemed to relate to how the cuts would impinge or impact upon quality of life, it was purely on the economics and ideology.

I have no doubt the word 'fairness' littered the rhetoric at this time, but it didn't seem to encapsulate anything definite. Unless 'fairness' was linked to something tangible, such as from  happiness index style measure, or something that relates to the genuine equality, then it becomes debased and trivial. And somewhat subjective.

That said, I would suggest the best action is to support and elevate this new index/survey and ensure that it is more than a CSR exercise, however we may do that.

On 27 November 2010 11:08, Srinandan Dasmahapatra <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Isn't this happiness index part of the usual fig leaf of talking up a corporate social responsibility agenda while all the action is to enforce just the opposite? Grin-wash. The Zen of Xenophobia.

----- Reply message -----
From: "Jon Barrett" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Fri, Nov 26, 2010 19:16
Subject: Radio 4 - economic growth
Perhaps Cameron et al. are preparing the ground (covering their backs?) for when austerity measures don't work and worsening financial and other crises makes evident to many more of the voting public that conflating well-being with consumption growth is impossible to maintain. 
 
For his part, Ed Miliband may be anticipating that, by election time, an increasingly squeezed middle England will be much more sympathetic than they are today to socialist notions of happiness through improved equality (as proposed in The Spirit Level and elsewhere). In point of fact surveys in Britain over the past 20 years already show 80% of the population think income inequalities are far too big. I suspect that if/when the UK is in Ireland's shoes, many more of us might be more forceful in demanding a more equal society. A kind of UK contraction and convergence....
 
Listening to the programme it was pretty clear that Peter Jay was on the side of the good guys, Tim Jackson, Andrew Simms and co. And daniel Benami, (Ferraris For All) spoke with all the characteristics of a global warming denier. (If you can be bothered see the video of his debate with Jonathon Porritt http://www.thegreatdebate.org.uk/PBAVid.html ).
 
Anyway as Jonathan says, it is good news that this sort of eco-economics is now becoming part of political and public discourse. Thanks for drwaing attention to it.
 
Best, Jon      

On Fri, Nov 26, 2010 at 2:48 PM, Christopher Shaw <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

It is only possible to imagine that policy makers intend the happiness index to be a tool for increasing happiness if a) one accepts Cameron et al are ignorant of the extensive sociological research indicating equal societies are happier societies and b) upon discovering this concept would actually convert to socialist politics to implement a more equal society.

 

 

From: Discussion list for the Crisis Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jonathan Ward
Sent: 26 November 2010 11:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Radio 4 - economic growth

 

You even had Paddy Ashdown and Ken Clarke putting up a defence to the question time audience last night for the proposed happiness index, and suggesting that it's time policy had other indices for success and measurement outside of basic economic indicators.

Of course, they had to defend the government's position on this after accusations from the audience of profligacy at a time of austerity, but at least wellbeing and quality of life is coming further into mainstream political discourse.

On 26 November 2010 10:56, A&M Meikle <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi all - Not sure if you caught In Business last night but it was really interesting to hear Transition Towns, NEF etc - questioning why growth is treated as the great answer to everything. You can listen again (not sure how long for) here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00w228b. It's repeated Sun eve 9.30pm too.

 

cheers

 

Mandy

 

http://mandymeikle.wordpress.com/
_________________________

 

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but rather the one most adaptable to change.”
Clarence Darrow - (frequently misattributed to Charles Darwin!)

 




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Jon Barrett
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