Guest Lecture on ‘The Economics of Happiness’ by Mr. Francis Munier from the University of Strasbourg

A very interesting guest lecture took place on the topic ‘The Economics of Happiness’ by Mr. Francis Munier, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Strasburg, at our main campus in Thessaloniki. The lecture was addressed to Bachelors and Masters students attending economics-related programmes (i.e. BA Hons in Business Studies – Accounting and Finance, MSc in Finance and Risk Management and MSc in Finance and Banking).

In his very interesting lecture Mr. Munier explored the Progress Paradox and attempted to explain why capitalism and liberal democracy, both of which justify themselves on the grounds that they produce the greatest happiness for the greatest number, leave so much dissatisfaction. The speaker went on to discuss different factors contribute to happiness and wel-being, like wealth marriage, parenthood, job satisfaction, health, leisure time, unemployment. Finally, Mr. Munier discussed with our students the possibility to find a correlation between happiness and GDP at individual and national levels.

Participating students found Mr. Munier’s lecture particularly interesting and engaging.