“The point of public policy is not to make people happy; it is to make them less unhappy.”
What this quote means
Tony Judt reminds us that the goal of public policy is not to create artificial happiness, but to reduce concrete suffering. It's a pragmatic vision: improve living conditions, reduce inequalities, provide safety nets. This approach avoids utopian promises and focuses on measurable outcomes, which is more honest and effective.
How to apply it daily
In your civic engagements, support initiatives that aim to reduce specific suffering (poverty, isolation) rather than vague promises of happiness.
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