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Happiness

Why are we so fascinated with happiness?

"Happiness is generally considered an ultimate goal of life; virtually everybody wants to be happy” (Frey, Stutzer, 2002, p408).  The United States Declaration of Independence it even mentions "the pursuit of Happiness.”  We can learn a lot about happiness and the effects it has on our everyday lives. Economic policies can contribute to the happiness factor as well.  Government policies can affect unemployment rates, distribution of wealth, and an individual's participation in the political process. This paper will examine three subjects regarding happiness. The first is, whether or not higher income contributes to happiness. Second, I will examine unemployment and happiness. Last, how politics affects happiness.

The Philosophers View of Happiness

For many years, people have been concern about happiness.  There have been many attempts to the causes and effects.  However, there has been little consensus as to the right answer.  Some researchers point to economics, that the economy could play a key role when it comes to happiness.  Philosophers use the theory of Subjective Well-being to address happiness with two major factors, Affect and Cognition.  Affect deals with moods or emotions as Cognition deals with judgment and comparisons.  "Affect" is the label attached to moods and emotions.  Affect reflects people's instant evaluation of the events that occur in their lives.  The cognitive component refers to the rational or intellectual aspects of subjective well being.  It is usually assessed with measures of satisfaction” (Frey& Stutzer, 2002, p. 11). 
The next element is Aspiration.  An individual aspires to reach a certain level of happiness with hope or some level of expectation.  Typically, in the case of happiness, the aspiration is usually a desire to have increase income.  However, once your reached your aspired level of happiness, your happiness tends to level...