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Data, methods and theories of contemporary social science can be
applied to resolve how political outcomes in democratic societies
determine the quality of life that citizens experience. Radcliff
seeks to provide an objective answer to the debate between left and
right over what public policies best contribute to people leading
positive and rewarding lives. Radcliff offers an empirical answer,
relying on the same canons of reason and evidence required of any
other issue amenable to study through social-scientific means. The
analysis focuses on the consequences of three specific political
issues: the welfare state and the general size of government, labor
organization, and state efforts to protect workers and consumers
through economic regulation. The results indicate that in each
instance, the program of the Left best contributes to citizens
leading more satisfying lives and, critically, that the benefits of
greater happiness accrue to everyone in society, rich and poor
alike.
This book is devoted to applying the data, methods, and theories of
contemporary social science to the question of how political
outcomes in democratic societies determine the quality of life that
citizens experience. Benjamin Radcliff seeks to provide an
objective answer to the perennial debate between Left and Right
over what public policies best contribute to human beings leading
positive and rewarding lives. The book thus offers an empirical
answer to this perpetual question, relying on the same canons of
reason and evidence required of any other issue amenable to study
through social-scientific means. The analysis focuses on the
consequences of three specific political issues: the welfare state
and the general size of government, labor organization, and state
efforts to protect workers and consumers through economic
regulation. The results indicate that in each instance, the program
of the Left best contributes to citizens leading more satisfying
lives, and, critically, that the benefits of greater happiness
accrue to everyone in society, rich and poor alike.
This timely and important book presents a unique study of happiness
from both economic and political perspectives. It offers an
overview of contemporary research on the emergent field of
happiness studies and contains contributions by some of the leading
figures in the field. General issues such as the history and
conceptualization of happiness are explored, and the underpinning
theories and empirics analyzed. The ways in which economic and
political factors - both separately and interactively - affect the
quality of human life are examined, illustrating the importance of
a self-consciously multi-disciplinary approach to the field. In
particular, the effects of consumption, income growth, inequality,
discrimination, democracy, the nature of government policies, and
labor organization on happiness are scrutinized. In conclusion, the
contributors prescribe what can and should be done at individual
and societal levels to improve human well-being and happiness. This
wide-ranging and interdisciplinary book makes a unique contribution
to the literature. As such, it will prove a fascinating read for
students and scholars of economics, political science, psychology,
sociology, and of course, to those with a special interest in the
analysis of happiness and human well-being.
This work provides an authoritative overview of the composition of
public opinion in America, the methodologies by which public
opinion is measured, and the importance of polling to U.S.
politics, policy, and culture. This revised edition is a
comprehensive resource for understanding all aspects of public
opinion polling in the United States, including major and emerging
theories and concepts; historical and current methodologies;
political, journalistic, and corporate uses; landmark events and
developments in the history of polling; and influential people and
organizations. The encyclopedia also illuminates how public opinion
polling has become important in shaping the trajectory of American
society and the views that Americans have about themselves and
their fellow citizens. Specific big-picture topics explored include
how data mining of internet and social media usage trends has
shaped modern political and business advertising campaigns; the
impact of politically partisan media outlets on public opinion; and
attitudes of various sectors of the American electorate about
diverse topics including gun control, abortion, immigration,
marijuana legalization, and the nation's two main political
parties.
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