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.
• Attempts to provide an objective, empirical answer to the seemingly unanswerable philosophical and ideological question: what makes people happy, the policies of the Left or the policies of the Right? • A work of serious scholarship written in a highly readable and accessible style • Appeals widely across disciplines by drawing upon political science, sociology, economics, psychology and labor studies
Contents
1. The democratic pursuit of happiness; 2. Market democracy; 3. Citizens or market participants?; 4. The scientific study of happiness; 5. The size of the state; 6. Labor unions and economic regulation; 7. The American states; 8. Between market and morality.
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