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Should Western governments change their priorities and focus on enhancing the life satisfaction and well-being of their citizens? In this innovative book, Bruce Headey explores the possibility of a positive welfare state that pursues these revised priorities.

In a far-reaching analysis, Headey shows that almost all Western governments pay at least lip service to the idea that enhancing well-being is a desirable goal for policy. They issue annual reports that include measures of life satisfaction and well-being, and they have all endorsed some policies and programs, such as working from home, subsidies for community groups and sports clubs, that are plainly intended to increase individual and family well-being. Analysing evidence from economists and psychologists on the causes of life satisfaction and drawing on longitudinal studies, Headey highlights policies and programs for positive intervention in family and social policy, health, mental health, working life and job satisfaction. The book also discusses the political feasibility of an array of national and international approaches, contextualising their impact on positive change and advocating for targeted, effective political strategies.

Public Policy for Well-Being is an invaluable resource for scholars and students of the welfare state, social policy, public policy, sociology, political theory and political economy. Social scientists and policy-makers will be interested in its timely suggestions for long-term public policy improvements.