Public Policy and Well-Being: Designing Happier Societies

Traditional economic metrics like GDP no longer suffice to measure a society's true progress. Modern policymakers, advocates, and community leaders must understand how structural decisions directly impact human happiness and collective well-being. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the intersection of public policy, sociology, and well-being economics. You will progress from understanding foundational definitions of happiness and quality of life to analyzing real-world policy frameworks that successfully foster healthier, more resilient communities. What you'll learn: 1. Understand foundational concepts of subjective well-being and happiness metrics. 2. Analyze global frameworks that measure societal progress beyond traditional GDP. 3. Evaluate how public housing, health, and education policies impact collective mental health. 4. Apply behavioral insights and nudge theory to design citizen-centric public programs. 5. Measure policy effectiveness using modern social indicators and data-driven evaluation tools. Starting with core theoretical frameworks of well-being, the written lessons guide you through practical case studies of successful international initiatives, concluding with actionable strategies for local policy design. This text-based course is designed for aspiring policymakers, community organizers, public administration students, and anyone interested in social progress, with no prior background in economics or policy required. Start reading today to discover how to shape policies that put human happiness first.