Somebody was mentioning Dr. Kalam as he has also said in one of his books/articles that there should be an overall measure to encompass the happiness factors replacing GDP. Economic reforms have just started in India around 1991-92 and its still in its infancy compared to developed countries where its a century old initiative. So at this moment we feel a deep disparity between poors and riches but the flow of growth will eventually go downwards to affect the poor. Communism talks about empowring poor first and take that growth upward while Capitalism is just the reverse. Ofcourse I don't want to be redundant by repeating factors preventing this "spread" of riches to poor like education and corruption but that will happen if people like me and you will come out of our shell.
Happiness is a more complex phenomena than just capitalism and growth.
This article is too abstract level. And in any form 'indicators of happiness' and corresponding data collection is really a stupid attempt. Human mind is never satisfied and happiness is a very short lived state of mind. Our farm workers who get Rs 40 per day and live in open with hardly any personal belongings are the happiest & carefree people I have seen so far, not that they do not have problems, that tells the story.
Contrary to what the article says the index of happiness concept is actually meant to defend capitalism. It is meant to tell the deprived and poor people of the world..don't worry if you don't have any material wealth, don't worry if your children are not educated,if you don't have a decent house,if you don't get 2 square meals because your happiness does not depend on those. Don't protest the fact that the majority of the vast wealth created has been robbed (appropriated is the politically correct word) by a few people who then go on to preach happiness. Look at the most recent example. GENPACT and outsourcing company went public. It is reported in the press that the top executives grew richer by 50 million $ (an obscenity in a country where a majority of the people do not even get proper food,education and housing) . But this is only part of the story. There are inequalities within the so called top executives themselves. Just one top executive made 32.68 million $. The top 4 made 48.5 million $ leaving just 1.5 million for all others. Forget the countless workers (who are fashionably called customer service executives) . They poor people have to be satisfied with their salaries only. Yet the index of happiness tells you that all of them should be happy and never question this massive robbery of the fruits of other people's labour. The index of happiness tries to obfuscate the real problems of capitalism and does not in any way attack capitalism.
RE:Index of Happiness
by jay b on Aug 07, 2007 08:07 PM
Most of the growth related to capitalism is concentrated to the top 5 to 10 % of the population. there is not structure or system in place to make it trickle down to the poor class. Education(ie the precise reason South has less poverty,....) ,infrastructure,less inequality and Social Reform is the cure to this
RE:Index of Happiness
by Ramasubramaniam Iyer on Aug 08, 2007 02:21 AM
The poor people need not be satisfied with their salaries. Capitalism provides a poor man an opportunity to try something beyond his means. It rewards creativity. It doesnt care to which class of people you belong. As long as you are competitive and ready to give your everything. If everyone on this planet has equal wealth (Aim of Communism) do you still think everyone will be happy? No. Happiness is a very relative subject. What is happiness to one man is not necessarily happiness to another. Hence happiness index is stupidity. I believe thats what the author is trying to say and I intend to agree with him. Otherwise why do you think Commy countries are now marching towards capitalism.
It all media game to projest India in top slot, and live in dream. There is some changes in majot cities where options were available earlier also. But, by large situation is the same.
The author exhibits a typical Asian characteristic. Nothing is worthwhile to an Asian unless it is approved and appreciated by a Westerner. Wonder when this colonial hangover will end and our heads clear.
RE:Asian ideas need western vetting
by blue wrox on Aug 07, 2007 08:30 PM
Thats correct.Gora logon ka pissab aam logon ka kkon se bhi acha hai in bakwaason ke liye.Hollywood hamesha achi hai baaki sab bakwaas.unka dress,khana sab acha hai par baaki sab bakwaas.he is not the only one with this mentallity there is a lot many.
Those people who are calling others corrupt must understand that all these politicians, MLAs, govt. officers, police all are our relatives only. They are not foreigners. People who have no opportunity to swindle money will only call themselves good human while all other are corrupt. We talk about poor people. What what about the peon in govt office, hospitals who gives priority to who give bribes. What does vegetable vendor do? What does a milkman do? What does a shopkeer do? just do adulteration? vegetable vendor is a pooor but still cheater. Evebody tends to earn money when opportunity knocks unless he is Mahatma Gandhi, Or Lal Bahadur shastri.
