Social Happiness: Theory into Policy and Practice

In recent years, happiness has seized the imaginations of both social researchers and policymakers with remarkable speed. Social Happiness examines the achievements and potential of applied happiness scholarship in a variety of contexts and argues that progressive policies must explicitly consider happiness. Neil Thin expertly traces the rise of the theme of happiness in scholarship, policy, and moral discourse and then explores the practical implications for happiness studies in a range of social experiences, including relationship guidance, parenting, schooling, gender reform, work-life harmony, and rethinking old age.

Neil Thin is a senior lecturer in the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh and coauthor of several books.