Public Policy and the Quality of Life

Public Policy and the Quality of Life PDF

Author: Randall G. Holcombe

Publisher: Praeger

Published: 1995-01-24

Total Pages: 214

ISBN-13:

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This volume argues that the virtues of the market system, private property, and freedom of exchange can be applied to enhance the quality of life. Although people recognize in the abstract that markets work better than government in allocating resources, government's presence in the economy increases as government intervenes to deal with different problems. This book shows how the market mechanism that has enhanced material well-being is better suited than government planning to improve the quality of life. After examining general principles guiding both market and government allocation of resources, the book then examines specific policy issues, including environmental protection, health care, regulation of product quality, and land use planning. The book first examines the general principles that guide both market and government allocation of resources to show why market mechanisms work better than government planning to enhance the quality of life. Then specific policy issues are examined to provide examples of how market forces can be harnessed to improve the quality of life. Some of those issues are environmental protection, health care, the regulation of product quality, and land use planning.

Happiness and Public Policy

Happiness and Public Policy PDF

Author: Yew-Kwang Ng

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Published: 2006-10-17

Total Pages: 280

ISBN-13: 9780230004979

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This volume discusses the determinants of happiness and presents case studies of how public policy can help promote happiness. Happiness is a private matter and individual pursuit, however public policy does have an important role and can contribute much through various enabling means. Possible examples of such influence include establishing a set of institutions that allow private enterprises to flourish, investing in infrastructure and in education, protecting people from harm and reducing risks and alleviating pain when harm is unavoidable. This book takes a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science and an international perspective.

The Political Economy of Human Happiness

The Political Economy of Human Happiness PDF

Author: Benjamin Radcliff

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2013-03-25

Total Pages: 215

ISBN-13: 1107030846

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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.

Politics and Quality of Life

Politics and Quality of Life PDF

Author: Ryan M. Yonk

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-01-24

Total Pages: 133

ISBN-13: 3319725718

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This book explores the relationship between quality of life, policy, and political behavior. Using carefully collected, granular data, the authors create a measurement of quality of life for each county in the United States. After applying the index to each county and calculating scores, the results are applied to key political and social questions, such as, variation in voter turnout, electoral choices, and the allocation of federal aid. By tying quality of life directly to social and political outcomes, the index thus makes possible the development of policies that actually improve the quality of life of those they effect. This book is divided into three sections. Section One delves into the theory of quality of life research and the indicators used in the development of the index. Section Two explores the relationship between quality of life and various political phenomena such as trust in government, political participation, electoral politics, direct democracy, government spending, and local government. Section Three discusses suggestions for incorporating life quality in the political and policy process and identifying strategies for the direct application of these principals by policymakers. This book will be useful for students and scholars interested in political behavior, political sociology, policy, and quality of life studies, as well as policymakers interested in incorporating quality of life studies in their work.

Key Actors in Public Policy-making for Quality of Life

Key Actors in Public Policy-making for Quality of Life PDF

Author: Graciela Tonon

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2022-04-27

Total Pages: 168

ISBN-13: 3030904679

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This book analyzes how quality of life research results can be transferred to policy making, and considers the role of actors in this process---researchers, policy makers, and citizens---as well as their interrelationships. This book points to the need to include actors other than the state in public policy-making related to quality of life and well-being issues, in defining problems and formulating alternatives. It identifies obstacles and facilitators in the process and offers a review of different types of aid that affect well-being and quality of life. Finally, it shows possible pathways for various stakeholders in policy-making to interact with one another in the building of good societies.

Quality of Life

Quality of Life PDF

Author: Sally Baldwin

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2002-09-11

Total Pages: 279

ISBN-13: 1134865651

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Concern about the quality of life and its measurement is probably greater now than ever before. The last five years have seen considerable changes in policy, particularly in health and social service markets bringing into question appropriate measures of input and output. The issues addressed in this volume range from the philosophical question of what the good life is, to detailed studies of what constitutes a good quality of life for particular client groups. Quality of Life will be valuable reading for researchers and practitioners in social policy, social work and economics.

Assessing Quality of Life and Living Conditions to Guide National Policy

Assessing Quality of Life and Living Conditions to Guide National Policy PDF

Author: Michael R. Hagerty

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2006-04-11

Total Pages: 448

ISBN-13: 0306475138

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This book is a useful "how to" book for researchers and government offices wanting to start or improve their own QOL survey, and contains "best practices" from all over the world. It is a valuable resource for researchers, policy and for those wishing to effect changes in public policy.

The Quality of Life

The Quality of Life PDF

Author: Martha Nussbaum

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 1993-03-11

Total Pages: 466

ISBN-13: 0198287976

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Commentator: Ruth Anna Putnam

Well-being for Public Policy

Well-being for Public Policy PDF

Author: Ed Diener

Publisher: Oxford Positive Psychology

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 0195334078

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The authors explain why subjective indicators of well-being are needed, showing how these can offer useful input and giving examples of policy uses of well-being measures. They also describe the validity of the subjective well-being measures as well as potential problems, then delve into objections to their use for policy purposes.

U.S. Health in International Perspective

U.S. Health in International Perspective PDF

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2013-04-12

Total Pages: 421

ISBN-13: 0309264146

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The United States is among the wealthiest nations in the world, but it is far from the healthiest. Although life expectancy and survival rates in the United States have improved dramatically over the past century, Americans live shorter lives and experience more injuries and illnesses than people in other high-income countries. The U.S. health disadvantage cannot be attributed solely to the adverse health status of racial or ethnic minorities or poor people: even highly advantaged Americans are in worse health than their counterparts in other, "peer" countries. In light of the new and growing evidence about the U.S. health disadvantage, the National Institutes of Health asked the National Research Council (NRC) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to convene a panel of experts to study the issue. The Panel on Understanding Cross-National Health Differences Among High-Income Countries examined whether the U.S. health disadvantage exists across the life span, considered potential explanations, and assessed the larger implications of the findings. U.S. Health in International Perspective presents detailed evidence on the issue, explores the possible explanations for the shorter and less healthy lives of Americans than those of people in comparable countries, and recommends actions by both government and nongovernment agencies and organizations to address the U.S. health disadvantage.

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