tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204374242006832151.post4095545813116389062..comments2023-07-06T10:48:10.382+01:00Comments on Rigotnomics: Happy Economics or which measure is right?Pierre-Louishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03936185995162366004noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204374242006832151.post-43257166199996970652008-03-14T00:05:00.000+01:002008-03-14T00:05:00.000+01:00There are several papers measuring the shadow econ...There are several papers measuring the shadow economy and economists that are dedicated just to study money laundry and informal economy, that now are becoming very consulted after all the terrorist boom....the smartest way to measure shadow economy is by the use electricity. There is a one to one relationship between the use of electricity and GDP, so economies that deviate from the correlation have bigger unreported activity. <BR/>If you haven’t hear about, I recommend to read “The Mystery of Capital”, a powerful book by Hernando de Soto , one of the most celebrated graduated from HEI, that explains how developing countries can boost their economies incorporating the informal business. <BR/>About the measure of happiness…………..mmmmmmmmmm……… difficult, but definitely the correlation with GDP is not one to one, and I’m tempted to say that is negative, or at least non linear.Dany Jaimovich - Bakary Baludinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01564162112935344764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204374242006832151.post-80134423036798629492008-03-13T22:41:00.000+01:002008-03-13T22:41:00.000+01:00I am really curious as to how you measure / define...I am really curious as to how you measure / define 'happiness', and how this compares to notions of 'wellbeing' and 'pleasure'? <BR/><BR/>Perhaps as many eminent philosophers (Nietzsche, Kant, Socrates, Dalai Lama, etc.) have pointed out, happiness isn't a goal in itself, rather it is derived as a byproduct of doing something else (even J.S. Mill noted that whilst happiness is valuable, it is something that is not achieved by trying to attain it.). <BR/><BR/>So maybe that means I should stop doing this cursed Canova Problem Set and do something else that will bring me more 'happiness'........1Camhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08676163811763347519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204374242006832151.post-92190876862849642002008-03-13T14:58:00.000+01:002008-03-13T14:58:00.000+01:00As we all know GDP is something like “the goods an...As we all know GDP is something like “the goods and services produced within a year and within a country”. There are many good arguments why this is not the sole measure that we should try to maximize. But are there good arguments that we should maximize happiness, even if we had a perfect measure? I guess most religious leaders and many moral philosophers would disagree with the idea that the pursuit of happiness is the ultimate purpose of life, disregarding the means. Maybe it is better to stay with a clearly incomplete measure of well being, taking into account its short comings, than with a seemingly complete measure.Pascalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11213877175327107752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204374242006832151.post-84689276052114081012008-03-13T12:41:00.000+01:002008-03-13T12:41:00.000+01:00Ok, Sebastian, you have now officially challenged ...Ok, Sebastian, you have now officially challenged me...due to lack of time today, I will retort upon my return on Sunday. Watch this scace!Maribouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11785173092102760704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204374242006832151.post-48300358125669143702008-03-13T12:31:00.000+01:002008-03-13T12:31:00.000+01:00And what about maximising the human development in...And what about maximising the human development index, as suggested by Amartya Sen, a Nobel prize winner??? But honestly, I think the most important thing is to minimize inequalities, thats the real problem...Pierre-Louishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03936185995162366004noreply@blogger.com