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Well-being and war

Frey, Bruno

In: International Review of Economics, 2012, vol. 59, no. 4, p. 363-375

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    Title
    • Well-being and war
    Author
    • Frey, Bruno. Department of Economics, CREMA, Center for Research in Economics, Management and the Arts, University of Zurich, Wilfriedstrasse 6, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:320220
    Summary
    Happiness research has dealt with a great number of determinants of well-being but has neglected the effect of war. Wars drastically reduce people's happiness. The large psychic costs of soldiers, the suffering of civilians, and the material destruction are well documented. An important issue for happiness research is how to calculate the forgone well-being of the people killed in war. Wars may also increase happiness by providing shared experiences, raising national pride, and "ennobling” people. "Combat flow” increases an individual soldier's subjective happiness. Deep issues are elicited regarding what type of happiness is legitimate