We are lining on an whirly epoch. Despite the richness without precedents in the world, a great insecurity exists, discomfort and dissatisfaction.
In US, the most of citizens have the opinion that the country is on a “wrong way”. Pessimism is increasing. In many other the same occurs.
For facing this context it is time to consider again the basics facts of happiness in our economical life.
The relentless seeking for higher profits  is driving to  inequities and anxieties without precedents, but not to more happiness and satisfaction by life. The economical development is important and it can improve markedly  the quality of life, but only if it is a goal pursued with others.
In this direction, the kingdom of Bhutan. in The Himalaya is leading the way.
Since 40 years ago, the young fourth king made a remarkable choice:
Buthan have to pursue the happiness,  the “Gross National Happiness” instead the “Gross National Product”. Since that time, the country has tried an alternative and holistic strategy for the development by making effort not only in economic development, but also in culture, mental healthy, compassion and community.
Recently, dozen of expert men met in Bhutan's capital, Thimphu, to analyze the experience of the country. I was one of the the hosts with the first minister Jigme Thinley, a leader of sustainable development and a great defender of that conception.
We met after a declaration of the UN on July that urged to examine how national policies are able to promote the happiness in their societies.
All those who met in Thimphu were agree in the relevance of looking the happiness instead the national richness.
We analyzed how to get happiness in a world characterized by quick urbanization, communication medias, global capitalism and environmental degradation. How can we sort our economic life to create again a sensation of community and environmental sustainability?
Here some of initial conclusions:

1- We should not denigrate the value of economic development. When people is starving, they lack basic needs like drinking water, medical assistance and education, and they have not a dignified employment, they suffer. The economic development that reduces poverty is a main step to promote happiness.

2- The endless seeking for gross product without having in account other objectives does not drive to happiness. In US, the gross product increased markedly this last 40 years; not as well the happiness. Against, the restless seeking of the gross product drove us to great inequities in terms of wealthy and power, it fed the growing of a vast subclass, it dived to million of children in poverty and caused a serious environmental degradation.

3-  Happiness is achieved by an equilibrated strategy facing life by individuals and society. As individuals, we are not happy if our primary needs are denied or  if the ambition for better earnings replaces our advocation for family, friends, community, compassion and internal balance. As a society setting up economic policies to increase our level of life is different to subordinate all values of the society to the seeking of earnings.
However, US policy allowed every time that earning dominate all other aspirations: impartiality, justice, fidence, mental and physical health and environmental sustainability. Corporative donations to political campaigns drills democratic progress, with a blessing from the Supreme Tribunal of Justice.

4- The global capitalism means many direct threatens for happiness. It is shattering the nature environment with climate change and other kind of contamination, while a relentless stream of propaganda of petroleum industry makes that people do not realise of this situation. It is weakening  the social confidence and mental stability, while the prevalence of clinical depression is rising. Media have become in places where corporatives messages are broadcasted, many of them openly against of science, and americans suffer a rising range of addictions.
Consider how the industry of quick food use oils, fats, sugar and addictive ingredients in order to create an unhealthy dependency of food that contributes to obesity.
One third of americans are obeses. Definitely, the rest of the world will follow their steps at less that the countries restrict dangerous corporative practices; like advertisement of additives and unhealthy foods aimed to young population.
The food is not the only problem. The massive advertisement contributes to many consumption addictions that implies large costs for public health; excessive time in front of TV, bettings, drugs consumption, smoking, alcoholism.

5- To promote happiness, we have to identify many factors beyond the Gross Product that are able to increase or to reduce social welfare. Most of the countries invest to measure the gross product, but spend a little to identify the causes of bad health (like quick food and excessive time in front of the TV), the falling of social confidence and environmental degradation. Once we understand those factors we are able to take action. The insane  pursuit of corporate profits are threatening us. No doubt, we should support the economic growth and development, but only into a wider context that promote environmental sustainability and values of compassion and honesty that are necessaries to generate social confidence. The seeking of happiness should not be confined to the beautiful  kingdom of mountains of Bhutan.

Jeffrey D. Sachs es profesor de economía y director del Earth Institute en la Universidad de Columbia. También es asesor especial del secretario general de Naciones Unidas sobre los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio. © Project Syndicate, 2011.