Main content

The 'Happiness Industry' - The 'Wellness Syndrome'

The 'Happiness Industry'. Laurie Taylor asks if policy makers are too focused on the idea of 'happiness'. And,has a concern for individual wellness replaced ideas of social change?

The Happiness Industry: Laurie Taylor talks to Will Davies, Professor in Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London, who asks why policy makers have become increasingly focused on measuring happiness. Also, 'wellness syndrome': Andre Spicer, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at City University, argues that visions of positive social change have been replaced by a focus on individual well-being. They're joined by Laura Hyman, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Portsmouth. Revised repeat.

Producer: Jayne Egerton

Available now

28 minutes

Clip

Guests

– Professor in Political Economy at Goldsmiths, University of London
– Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Portsmouth
- Professor of Organisational Behaviour at Cass Business School

Further Reading

"The Happiness Industry: How the government & big business sold us well-being" - by William Davies
"Happiness: understandings, narratives and discourses" - by Laura Hyman
"The Wellness Syndrome" - by André Spicer and Carl Cederstrom

Broadcasts

  • Wed 27 May 2015 16:00
  • Mon 1 Jun 2015 00:15
  • Wed 8 Jan 2020 16:00

The Open University

Analysis and insights related to Thinking Allowed programmes.

Explore further with The Open University

91Èȱ¬ Thinking Allowed is produced in partnership with The Open University

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

Podcast