Next debate - Thur 25 Nov: This House believes that happiness is a better measure of national prosperity than economic growth

DATE: Thursday, 25 November 2010

TIME: 7.30pm - 9.30pm

VENUE: Harcourt Arms, 32 Harcourt Street, W1H 4HX

MOTION: This House believes that happiness is a better measure of national prosperity than economic growth

The standard measure of how well a country is doing is its gross domestic product. GDP growth is praised whereas shrinking GDP (a recession) is to be avoided at all costs. Falling GDP can lead to a depression in the economy, with the unemployment and associated misery that that brings.

However is GDP the best measure of how well a country is doing? David Cameron recently announced his intention to survey the British people on their happiness levels. Surveys have shown that beyond a certain point money no longer makes you happier. Has economic growth outlived its usefulness as an indicator of how well a country is doing?

Who is right? You decide.

Further reading:

Actually, Mr Cameron, happiness... (The Guardian)

Sarkozy's happiness index (The Independent)

Why it's hard to measure happiness (BBC)

What makes Britain smile (Wired)

Cameron's happiness index (Wall Street Journal)

Happiness revisited (BBC)

Money makes you happy (thisismoney/ Daily Mail)

Can money buy happiness (Scientific American)

There will be four speakers in this debate, each of whom will have five minutes to make their case. After that there will be an extensive Q&A session to allow the audience plenty of time to have their own say from the floor. The motion will then be put to a vote.

There's always plenty of time to grab a drink and get settled before the event starts and we always stick around for a few more once it's over as inevitably that is always when the real debating begins.

If you have any questions or need any more information, do not hesitate to email us at central.debating@gmail.com.

Getting there:

If you would like to watch this debate, then simply come along on the night. You will find us in the upstairs dining room of the Harcourt Arms pub at 32, Harcourt Street W1H 4HX (a max 1o min walk from Baker St tube). For directions, see this map.

Admission:

Admission is, as ever, totally free of charge. All are welcome, so if you know anyone who might be interested in this debate, do feel free to bring them along.

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Best wishes
CLDS