In recent times, economic growth has helped many become richer, both in developed and developing countries. However, those in developed countries are not as happy as they were in the past. Why is this? What can be learned from this?

It is true that individual consumption has generally increased in the world today, among

people

in both developed and developing

countries

. While

this

should lead to increasing happiness, particularly in developed

countries

where consumption is greater,

this

is not always the result. It is necessary to explore and understand the reasons for

this

I would argue that

people

are happier when they have a useful role to play in their community, but societies are breaking down. One major factor is the growing influence of commercial advertising, which has helped to create today’s consumer society. Its influence is global, but its chief target audience is consumers in developed

countries

,

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because they have the greatest spending power. Another factor is the population shift of

people

to cities. Over half the world’s population live in cities, but in Japan and the USA,

for example

, the figures are more than 90% and 80% respectively. Cities are concrete jungles, where social bonds no longer exist and

people

feel a sense of alienation. Lessons should be learned.

Firstly

, advertising must be restricted and monitored by government agencies, so that they no longer promote greed and selfishness in order to maximise profits. I believe that

people

with a social conscience are disillusioned with a life based on consuming more and more.

Secondly

, urban spaces must be redesigned to include the demolition of high-rise buildings and the construction of social and community centres where

people

can find happiness through a feeling of community and organise their own activities In conclusion,

although

economic growth has created more wealth, the ethical focus in all

countries

must now be on re-building communities to create a happier and more just world