Publisher's Synopsis
This book has been structured in three sections, in order to reveal the complex relation between economic growth, well-being and happiness, and answer certain questions: Is economic growth the basis of human progress and development? Why is capitalism successful, while communism has failed? Which is the relation between economic growth, well-being and happiness, considering the Easterlin paradox? In the first one (The Economic Growth), these themes are addressed: Growth and Economic Development, The Mystery of Economic Growth, The Role of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and The Economic Dilemmas. While in the second part (Capitalism and Communism), the following topics are exposed: Refutations of the Communist Ideology, Differences between Capitalism and Communism, The Great Systemic Failure of Capitalism, The Rise of Capitalism, and The Fall of Communism. And in the third section (Well-Being and Happiness) these points are addressed: Well-Being and Human Needs, Well-Being and Motivation, The Pursuit of Happiness, and Economic Growth, Well-Being and Happiness. On the one hand, despite the fact that the capitalism creates huge inequities, in this system prevails conditions that propitiate an extraordinary economic growth, and on the other hand, in the communist regime there arent liberties, neither human rights, nor opportunities of contributing to progress and development. Unlike communism (based on an irrational, anti-religious, anti-ethical and uneconomical behavior), capitalism is successful because it is based on the rational optimizing human behavior. Its dynamic allows citizens to satisfy their well-being, make significant contributions to society and achieve happiness.
