Just growing the economy (as "economy" is currently defined) may well leave people less happy, with less access to services and infrastructure because the gover

Just growing the economy (as "economy" is currently defined) may well leave people less happy, with less access to services and infrastructure because the government has failed to keep up. Just being in a "larger economy" may mean each person is burdened with more air pollution (e.g. China and India) and more crowded conditions than when the economy was smaller, while reducing access to various natural attractions (e.g. beaches, forests, open spaces). Where are the economic models that take these sorts of economic costs to people into account? I'm often surprised so many people are persuaded to embrace various policy positions by general statements to the effect of "studies say this increases GDP." As in the old saying "War is much too important to be left up to the generals", it seems the economy is too important to be left up to the economists.