A vision based on happiness and the common good
In the 1970s, the Himalayan kingdom launched a totally new concept: Gross National Happiness, an index for measuring development that aimed to go beyond the sole economic measures calculated by Gross National Product and replace them with less materialistic values. It was in 1972, when he had just ascended the throne, that Bhutan's4th sovereign, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, aged just sixteen, first evoked the beginnings of this philosophy, which puts the notion of well-being at the heart of the country's development. In other words, for the king, the well-being of his people was as important as their productivity.
The NBB is based on four pillars: economic and social development; protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources; protection and promotion of Bhutan's cultural heritage; and good governance.
Since the early 1980s, BNB has guided Bhutanese political life in the establishment of its economic and development plans, leading to profound upheavals in agriculture (ban on herbicides, etc.) and the conversion to 100% organic farming, the management of highly protected natural resources (classification of 60% of the territory as forests, regulation of logging, etc.), health and education, which are free for all, tourism, which is largely regulated to limit its environmental impact, and trade, which is also tightly controlled. This is why Bhutan has made it a priority to respect its natural resources and preserve its cultural traditions and values. In the land of the Thunder Dragon, the main pillars of Gross National Happiness are taught in schools, and children are prepared from an early age to become future "ambassadors of change".
The NBB tested against current realities
In July 2008, when the country's first constitution came into force, the GNH became an essential part of Bhutanese life, acting as a guardian. As such, all the country's governmental and political decisions must now be scrutinized by the GNH Commission, which can, after consultation, accept or reject them. Nevertheless, while very few Bhutanese (less than 5%) declare themselves "not happy", the concept is somewhat shaken by Bhutan's current societal problems, notably rising poverty and youth unemployment. 10% of 15-24 year-olds are currently unemployed. Furthermore, is GNP, presented as a broader and more reliable indicator than GNP, really representative of the population's standard of living? Bhutan is one of the poorest countries in the world, with an annual GDP of $2.535 billion, ranking 162ndout of 194! While it seems clear that the current government, led by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, needs to review certain parameters of Gross National Happiness, the country must do everything in its power to pursue its quest for this cherished happiness with serenity.
