Is Life Getting Better?
I think this is one of the defining questions of our times. The answer may seem obvious, or the question so broad as to be meaningless. But there are good reasons why we should take it seriously.
Welcome To Richard Eckersley
This site provides free access to my writing for scientific journals, specialist magazines and popular media. My book, Well & Good, can also be downloaded free from the site.
My work explores questions such as:
How do we define and measure human progress and development?
What are the relationships between economic growth, a high quality of life and a healthy environment?
How is modern Western culture affecting our health and happiness?
Are young people taking the prize or paying the price of progress?
How do we see the future of humanity?
Well & Good
In the 1970s, I spent two years travelling overseas, through Africa, Western and
Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union and Asia. Like many long-term travellers, I found
that the most difficult cultural adjustment I had to make was on my return home....
My initial celebration of the material richness and comfort of the Western way of
life soon gave way to a growing apprehension about its emotional harshness, social
distances and spiritual desiccation.’
- From Well & Good, p. 43
I wanted to massively thank you for all your time and support you have provides to aid me with my MA dissertation…. it meant a great deal, thank you.
I came across your article “Troubled Youth: an island of misery in an ocean of happiness, or the tip of an iceberg of suffering” whilst I was doing a lit review. What a lovely piece of writing. Thanks for your work.
Many thanks for your wonderful book, “Well and Good”, which I have had for many years and to which I constantly turn. Your understanding of young peoples’ issues are still relevant to their issues today.
Recent Media Articles
A report on voter pessimism casts more light on why Australian democracy is failing. The answer is to deepen political debate.
Donald Trump has shattered the political status quo. Liberals have raged over the dangers and damage; they need to pay more attention to the opportunities.
We need to look beyond conventional politics and policy to understand Trump’s triumph. The election was really about America’s declining quality of life.
Highlighted Scientific Papers
Is modern Western culture a health hazard? International Journal of Epidemiology, 2006, vol. 35, pp. 252-258.
The quality of life. In Saunders P, Walter J (Eds). Ideas and Influence: Social Science and Public Policy in Australia. UNSW Press, Sydney, 2005, pp. 198-218.
A new narrative of young people’s health and wellbeing. Journal of Youth Studies, 2011. vol.14, no. 5, pp. 627-638 .