Leonhardt has been focusing on the subject of politics and economics since 2014, which makes him an expert in …show more content…
He starts off by explaining how an increase in the level of economic growth does not necessarily lead to more happiness. According to the Easterlin paradox, from the late 1950s to the early 70s, people were richer but not any happier. Economist Richard Easterlin published a study where he argues that at times of economic growth, satisfaction levels don’t increase in correspondence to the increase in national wealth. The only time people truly become happier is when they become wealthy enough to satisfy basic human needs such as water, food, and shelter. Human wants are unlimited, for they always desire more than what they have. When one acquires the iPod sooner or later, then they begin to want more such as the iPod Touch. Two young economists proposed a rebuttal to the paradox where it has caught the eyes of top economists around the world and the question of whether or not money can buy happiness started being questioned once again, which has led to a lively response from Richard. In this rebuttal, an increase in income does achieve greater levels of happiness, however it is not guaranteed for everyone. According to Ms. Stevenson “The central message is that income does