The Economics of Happiness - Official Trailer

Going local is a powerful strategy to repair our fractured world, our ecosystems and our selves.

Purchase the film or find a screening on our website: www.theeconomicsofhappiness.org/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theeconomicsofhappiness
Blog: www.theeconomicsofhappiness.wordpress.co­m

Film Synopsis -

Economic globalization has led to a massive expansion in the scale and power of big business and banking. It has also worsened nearly every problem we face: fundamentalism and ethnic conflict; climate chaos and species extinction; financial instability and unemployment. There are personal costs too. For the majority of people on the planet life is becoming increasingly stressful. We have less time for friends and family and we face mounting pressures at work.

The Economics of Happiness describes a world moving simultaneously in two opposing directions. On the one hand, government and big business continue to promote globalization and the consolidation of corporate power. At the same time, all around the world people are resisting those policies, demanding a re-regulation of trade and finance—and, far from the old institutions of power, they're starting to forge a very different future. Communities are coming together to re-build more human scale, ecological economies based on a new paradigm -- an economics of localization.

We hear from a chorus of voices from six continents including Vandana Shiva, Bill McKibben, David Korten, Michael Shuman, Juliet Schor, Zac Goldsmith and Samdhong Rinpoche - the Prime Minister of Tibet's government in exile. They tell us that climate change and peak oil give us little choice: we need to localize, to bring the economy home. The good news is that as we move in this direction we will begin not only to heal the earth but also to restore our own sense of well-being. The Economics of Happiness restores our faith in humanity and challenges us to believe that it is possible to build a better world.

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Selected Endorsements -

"Helena Norberg-Hodge delivers a powerful message about globalization: It is the small, local economies around the world that are preserving traditions, cultures, and communities, and ultimately safeguarding our happiness." (Alice Waters, chef, author, and the proprietor of Chez Panisse)

"It is good news indeed to find so persuasive an explanation of our ailing world as 'The Economics of Happiness.' This film connects the dots between climate chaos, economic meltdown, and our own personal suffering--stress, loneliness, and depression. It presents the localization movement as a systemic alternative to corporate globalization, as well as a strategy that brings community and meaning to our lives." (Joanna Macy, author World as Lover, World as Self)

"'The Economics of Happiness' offers a unique global perspective on a movement that is often reduced as being too small. Not so. The film tells the story of a grassroots movement for localization that is bubbling up from the cracks of a faltering global economy, in every corner of the world. These are the real 'green shoots' to be hopeful about." (Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director, The Oakland Institute)

"I think this is the best, most holistic film I have seen on the subject." (Jacob Bomann-Larsen, Coordinator of Nordic New Economy Network)

"...it is a great honor for me to endorse such an historic work." (Samdhong Rinpoche, Prime Minister of Tibet's government in exile)

"A must-see film for the future of the planet." (Zac Goldsmith, Member of UK Parliament)

• Category

  Film & Animation

[ayemaya75]

I think that globalization is one of many factors of the current situation today. However, just going locally and implementing the changes that you suggest on this trailer is only a bandaide over a huge, deep wound. This will not change people's very deep mental conditionings that have been instilled in us for centuries to support separation and conflict between ourselves, so that we will not work together. People need to work together and get along without control issues, hierarchy, etc.

[EconomicsofHappiness ISEC]

Good points. We're trying to say that acting locally will only work if implemented in many places through the world in order to promote diversity, local self-reliance, community connections, and so on.

By building a new economics of localization, we believe that people will have more time, resources, and interest in developing connections and undoing "mental conditioning". Globalization ensures that few will have time and resources to heal emotional or social wounds.

[muffymodo]

THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS IS A LIE DESIGNED TO CAUSE SUFFERING AND FAMINE AROUND THE EARTH.

The free market determines prices and plenty. Misery and War are caused by the inequitable distribution of freedom and capitalism around the world. It was capitalism, coal, oil, and a free market that turned China from a Third World wreak of a nation into the second largest economic power after the USA.

[EconomicsofHappiness ISEC]

You've got to be kidding, right?

You would do well to examine more deeply the causes of famine or suffering. Capitalism, oil and coal have not translated into cessation of suffering and famine no matter what your measures.

China is one (1) example of success of industrialization. China is not a free market economy--they have heavy state intervention. And they are only a success when success is measured in terms of GDP or per capita income.

[TZMWatford]

Will be screened at Z-Day London 2012. Google it

[EconomicsofHappiness ISEC]

Z-Day looks to be amazing!

[EconomicsofHappiness ISEC]

We are a very small non-profit and we are still trying to recover the costs of producing the film.

[druidia9]

Nice troll, but too obvious, 3/10

[a9b8c7d6f7]

this title is misleading

[Silvio Valentini]

Veri good. I think it's essential for our life!.

[gj5178]

In your video you promote working locally and the purchase of goods and services produced within a small radius of a given consumer. However how do you view/respond to, the enormous benefits of international trade illustrated, for example, in the theory of comparative advantage. Additionally don't you think that an outward oriented strategy is a much more successful motor of econ. growth in LDCs than an inward oriented strategy?

[SlagarNZ]

My own thoughts are that the current engine is too strong; only once individuals start to see clearer will things truly begin to change. With time, hopefully there will be enough "evidence" to support implementing some of Buddhism's well developed technologies of mind (not religious) at the school level. Then as individuals begin to see with greater clarity, will our direction begin to change.Regardless of my thoughts, this looks great, and I hope this film and movement pick up steam.With hope--

[Wholiganu]

Oh, is that you Pinochet?

[ForzaAquila]

LOL they added subs when the indian guy was talking

[Frank Jenniskens]

Hi Steven, thanks for the suggestion! We will watch it with our TT Doorn (The Netherlands) group.Would you contact me? Frank (Big Heart)