43 reviews for:

Manufacturing Happy Citizens: How the Science and Industry of Happiness Control Our Lives

Eva Illouz, Edgar Cabanas

3.77 AVERAGE

lbast's review against another edition

3.5

challenging informative inspiring medium-paced

anabrca's review against another edition

4.0

informative medium-paced

ialja's review against another edition

5.0

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The book offers an excellent critical exploration of the field of positive psychology and its far-reaching (and often well-funded) applications in politics, education, workplace and other aspects of our lives. The authors question the reductionist view of happiness the related obsession with endless self-improvement that emerged in the 21st century. The issue isn't well-being per se, but the authors are highly critical of the happiness lifestyle, as promoted by positive psychologists, which conveniently fits the neoliberal view of the ideal citizen and at the same shames negative emotions that are both an inevitable part of life and a necessary element for social change. In short, we should be wary whenever questionable science and "happiness" is used to blame and shame individuals for not being positive enough, while at the same time conveniently hiding systemic problems that contribute to growing insecurity, inequality, and anxiety.