A Well-Being Manifesto for a Flourishing Society by Nic Marks and Shan Hetan explains the trend where research is increasingly focused on identifying patterns of well-being as opposed to unfavorable aspects of life. (Marks and Hetan). The tendency to focus on problems relating to happiness and flourishing rather than illness and dysfunctionality is thus described. People are more productive and have more choices for how to live their lives as a result of better lives, which is the driving force behind the change. The author thus creates a connection between the problem of the lack of happiness characterized by sadness to the declaration that the use of manifesto is poised to improve the lives of its subjects. From the thesis statement, it is stated through an action plan, the government can now devise its resources and channel its effort at ensuring that there is a flourishing society.
In defining the processes, the authors focus on specific claims that are justified by the provision of evidence. One of the primary assertions made is that there are various influences that determine a person’s predisposition to being satisfied and happy including genetics, life circumstances, and intentional activities that are undertaken by the individual. The other major direction that the authors focus the paper is on the fact that as opposed to the perception that money brings happiness, it is only after the basic needs have been met that it becomes logical to make sense of money. The authors also describe that central to the wellbeing of an individual is the personal relationships that they are able to develop in the process. It is noted that there is too much focus on the economic aspects of life that rarely do people commit their time to building social relations that would significantly improve their well-being. The manner in which one perceives their health status is another major determinant of the overall well-being of a person. Those who see themselves as healthy tend to think positively about their lives and are overall happier than those who do not focus on their health. The author also describes a minor concept of how education impacts on someone’s personal life and how one would think of themselves in the process. It is, however, not as important as the other features and thus education is less significant in personal development. In summing up the observation of the factors that determine the level of well-being of a subject, the authors describe the case of how the physical environment determines the manner in which an individual demonstrates happens. The observation made was that those who live in greener places generally tend to have happier lives and have a better well-being status compared to those who live in toxic and ugly settings. The author’s approach to counterargument is, however, central to the understanding of the scope of the subject of personal wellbeing. In providing varied opinions, the authors consider the observation by other researchers such as the finding that in the US, the rich usually live happier lives than the rest of the population. The author appreciates this factor in the assessment of the role of one’s economic status in determining the manner in which they relate with their happiness after noting that the two were inversely proportional.
The author finally outlines the significance of the manifesto by describing the way the society is poised to benefit from adhering to the projected views. These well-being is described in the context of how the government will act on the recommendations for the population to realize the positive impact of positive well-being. One of the central benefiting outcomes is that it will enable the measurement of things that matter and thus enable the person to determine the feasible work-life balance effects. Furthermore, a positive well-being is associated with a better economy because people will invest their time in activities that have an economic and social value to better their lives. It is also advantageous from the basis of enabling proper time management as one will be in a position to exercise a realistic work-life balance that develops then at a personal level. From a government perspective, it is outlined that it will be possible to refocus the attention the NHS to ensure there is better and complete health. It is also expected that with the implementation of strategies aimed at improving the wellbeing of citizen will make them better individuals as they will invest their time and energy in the early in better activities. It will thus mean that attention will be on the social side of life and how people will become better parents. Knowledge on wellness also benefits the subject as it ensures that people would be discouraged from materialism and instead build on authentic advertising processes. Lastly, the authors describe that through wellness, civil society will be boosted and the social well-being of citizens enhanced, which will overall result in active citizenship.
Work Cited
Marks, Nic, and Shan Hetan. “A Well-Being Manifesto for a Flourishing Society.” Journal of Public Mental Health 3.4 (2004): 9–15. Print.
