Research On The Effect Of International Trade On National Happiness

Happy life has become the goal of people's lives and is also the policy goal of many countries.In the “2017 World Happiness Report” issued by the United Nations,Chapter 3 is “China's development and happiness “and Chapter 7 is “Restoring the happiness of the United States”,indicating that the happiness research in these two countries are arousing world attention.According to the estimation of the Ministry of Commerce of China in early 2017,foreign trade directly or indirectly drives employment to about 180 million,accounting for about 23% of the country's total employment.During the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan” period,China's tariff,import value-added tax,and consumption tax exceeded 8 trillion yuan,which is the important source of state finance.The introduction of advanced technology equipment and the rapid increase in exports of high-end products have played an important role in upgrading the quality and efficiency of the national economy.“Made in China” has increased global consumer welfare.More and more people enjoy products and services from the world market,and more and more families go out and enjoy overseas tourism and education resources,meanwhile China's enterprises,cultures and products have also accelerated the pace of going global and gradually gained more influence in the international market.Therefore,more scholars studies on the welfare effects of trade based on perspectives including the distribution of trade benefits,the changes in trade structure,the degree of trade openness.Differing from the previous studies,this paper studies the influence of international trade on the happiness of residents,and the new perspectives are based on Consumption and Employment to study the indirect relationship between the trade and happiness.The main significance is: First,the study of happiness from the sociology,psychology,economics and other subjects are launched,especially the economics of happiness flourish in recent years,taking the direct and indirect influences of international trade on happiness as the research topic is of great significance t o expand the factors influencing the happiness.Second,consumption and employment are very important in daily life and related to every family's quality of life,taking this as the new perspective to explore the indirect impact of trade on happiness,which is practical significance.Based on the literature review,empirical analysis and comparative analysis,this paper first conducts a macro-level study and uses the data of China's import and export trade,consumption,employment and happiness in the recent 1 0 years to analyze the two intermediate factors of consumption and employment.(1)Considering consumption as a single intermediate factor,the effect of China's trade on national happiness is positive.The recent impact is three times stronger than the long-term impact and the happiness effect of export is slightly higher than that of import;(2)Considering employment as a single intermediate factor,the effect of China's trade on national happiness is positive.The recent impact and long-term impact are very similar,of which the happiness effect of export is slightly higher than that of import;(3)Considering consumption and employment both as intermediate factors,the effect of China's trade on national happiness is positive.The recent impact is three times stronger than the long-term impact.The effect of U.S.trade on its national happiness is positive in the near future,is negative in long term,and its intensity is very close.In the recent impact,the intensity of the happiness effect of China's export is the same as that of import,while the United States the happiness effect of export is stronger than that of import.In the long run,the happiness effect of China's export is stronger than that of import,while the happiness effect of U.S.import is stronger than that of export.Then,this paper further develops micro-level research,using micro-data CGSS2013,CLDS2014,WVS1995-2012,from the family consumption structure,the quality of employment,factors affecting well-being analysis,the following conclusions are drawn:(1)the happiness effect of family consumption Intensity is the order of car consumption,restaurant dinners,household per capita annual income,and housing consumption;(2)The two-way positive effect between happiness and work has been verified,and job stability is stronger than working hours,commuting hours,and work income.The happiness effect of the work,the annual income of 50,000 Yuan for work is a distinguishing point for changes in the happiness of our residents;(3)The national happiness of Chinese and American residents is very close,nevertheless the happiness of American residents is showing a downward trend,and the happiness of Chinese residents is falling first and then rise again;the biggest difference between the two countries is human relations among all the factors affecting national happiness.The innovations of this paper are:(1)new research perspective---the role of happiness,it pioneered the study of happiness from two aspects: "consumer" and "laborer";(2)new research idea---the relevance of international trade and national happiness;(3)new empirical perspective---changes in import and export trade and the change of happiness;(4)new comparative analysis---exploring the trade effects on happiness,this paper not only study the happiness effect of trade when consumption and employment alone act as intermediate factors,but also study the happiness effect of trade when two intermediate factors work together.In addition,it also study the happiness effect in the near future Impact and long-term impact comparison,import trade and export trade impact comparison.Based on the above conclusions,this paper suggests:(1)Optimize the trade's effect on consumption level and consumption structure so as to enhance its positive happiness effect through consumption,especially in short-term effect;(2)Pay attention to the influence of cultural trade,guide the correct Consumer attitudes and Consumption form to promote the Consumers' happiness;(3)shift from focus on Employment level to Employment quality so as to stabilize their positive happiness effect through employment;(4)Actively cope with the new pattern of globalized trade development,steadily develop China's export and import trade,and enhance its positive happiness effect.