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According to the critics, the original GNH philosophy tenets were not compatible with modern, open and democratic societies. Two of the four main tenants, specifically, good governance and cultural preservation were linked to the suffering and unhappiness of many of Kingdom population. They claim that government propaganda has resulted in the corruption of historical truth about the original meaning of GNH and resulting government policies. For three decades since the coining of the phrase GNH, the kingdom was ruled as a monarchy and authoritarian rule. Bhutan became a democracy only after 2008. Before that time the country saw one of the largest ethno-religious cleansing against its non-Buddhist population of ethnic Nepalese of Hindu faith as a result of the GNH cultural preservation. The government denied ethnic cleansing charges but international organizations documented the events. According to Human Rights Watch, “Over 100,000 or 1/6 of the population of Bhutan of Nepalese origin and Hindu faith were expelled from the country because they would not integrate with Bhutan’s Buddhist culture.” <ref> Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/news/2008/02/01/bhutans-ethnic-cleansing </ref> Referring to the government GNH propaganda, Refugee Council of Australia stated that “It is extraordinary and shocking that a nation can get away with expelling one sixth of its people and somehow keep its international reputation largely intact. The Government of Bhutan should be known not for Gross National Happiness but for Gross National Hypocrisy." <ref> The Australian Refugee Council https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/media/time-to-challenge-bhutans-gross-national-hypocrisy/ </ref>
According to the critics, the original GNH philosophy tenets were not compatible with modern, open and democratic societies. Two of the four main tenants, specifically, good governance and cultural preservation were linked to the suffering and unhappiness of many of Kingdom population. They claim that government propaganda has resulted in the corruption of historical truth about the original meaning of GNH and resulting government policies. For three decades since the coining of the phrase GNH, the kingdom was ruled as a monarchy and authoritarian rule. Bhutan became a democracy only after 2008. Before that time the country saw one of the largest ethno-religious cleansing against its non-Buddhist population of ethnic Nepalese of Hindu faith as a result of the GNH cultural preservation. The government denied ethnic cleansing charges but international organizations documented the events. According to Human Rights Watch, “Over 100,000 or 1/6 of the population of Bhutan of Nepalese origin and Hindu faith were expelled from the country because they would not integrate with Bhutan’s Buddhist culture.” <ref> Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/news/2008/02/01/bhutans-ethnic-cleansing </ref> Referring to the government GNH propaganda, Refugee Council of Australia stated that “It is extraordinary and shocking that a nation can get away with expelling one sixth of its people and somehow keep its international reputation largely intact. The Government of Bhutan should be known not for Gross National Happiness but for Gross National Hypocrisy." <ref> The Australian Refugee Council https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/media/time-to-challenge-bhutans-gross-national-hypocrisy/ </ref>

⚫
This criticism has been countered by Bhutanese and some western promoters of Bhutan GNH philosophy, stating that GNH is a process of development and learning, rather than an objective norm or absolute end point. Bhutan aspires to enhance the happiness of its people and GNH serves as a measurement tool for realizing that aspiration. <ref> Sander G. Tideman (2016), Gross National Happiness: Lessons for Sustainability Leadership South Asian Journal of Global Business Research, Vol. 5 Iss 2 pp. 190 – 213 </ref>.


The government linked Centre for Bhutan Studies that is credited with the creation of Bhutan's local GNH Index and the lead international promoter of Bhutan GNH history in western academic and political circles, failed to mention the earlier GNH policy mistakes and how western scholarly contributions and democratic values influenced and changed GNH policies to fit modern democratic governance values. Some western historical researchers state that Bhutan's GNH philosophy “has evolved over the last decade through the contribution of western and local scholars to a version that is more democratic and open. Therefore, probably, the more accurate historical reference is to mention the coining of the GNH phrase as a key event, but not the Bhutan GNH philosophy, because the philosophy as understood by western scholars is different from the philosophy used by the King at the time.” <ref> The History of Gross National Happiness https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317151566_The_History_of_Gross_National_Happiness </ref>
The government linked Centre for Bhutan Studies that is credited with the creation of Bhutan's local GNH Index and the lead international promoter of Bhutan GNH history in western academic and political circles, failed to mention the earlier GNH policy mistakes and how western scholarly contributions and democratic values influenced and changed GNH policies to fit modern democratic governance values. Some western historical researchers state that Bhutan's GNH philosophy “has evolved over the last decade through the contribution of western and local scholars to a version that is more democratic and open. Therefore, probably, the more accurate historical reference is to mention the coining of the GNH phrase as a key event, but not the Bhutan GNH philosophy, because the philosophy as understood by western scholars is different from the philosophy used by the King at the time.” <ref> The History of Gross National Happiness https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317151566_The_History_of_Gross_National_Happiness </ref>

⚫
This criticism has been countered by Bhutanese and some western promoters of Bhutan GNH philosophy, stating that GNH is a process of development and learning, rather than an objective norm or absolute end point. Bhutan aspires to enhance the happiness of its people and GNH serves as a measurement tool for realizing that aspiration. <ref> Sander G. Tideman (2016), Gross National Happiness: Lessons for Sustainability Leadership South Asian Journal of Global Business Research, Vol. 5 Iss 2 pp. 190 – 213 </ref>.


Scholars who defend Bhutan GNH history are seen as Bhutan apologetics and are criticized for not reporting on the negative impact of historical GNH policies of the Kingdom. According to the Economist Magazine, “The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is not in fact an idyll in a fairy tale. It is home to perhaps 900,000 people most of whom live in grinding poverty." <ref> The Economist Magazine http://www.economist.com/node/3445119 </ref>. "The headlines of the nations’ leading papers continue to document increasing levels of political corruption, the rapid spread of diseases such as aids and tuberculosis, gang violence, abuses against women and ethnic minorities, shortages in food/medicine, and economic woes that make Bhutan barely discernible from any other nation. Given the size of its population, Bhutan is actually in much worse shape than most of the GDP measuring nations that GNH advocates like to condemn”. <ref> The GSD Magazine https://www.gsdmagazine.org/the-false-promises-of-bhutans-gross-national-happiness/ </ref>
Scholars who defend Bhutan GNH history are seen as Bhutan apologetics and are criticized for not reporting on the negative impact of historical GNH policies of the Kingdom. According to the Economist Magazine, “The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is not in fact an idyll in a fairy tale. It is home to perhaps 900,000 people most of whom live in grinding poverty." <ref> The Economist Magazine http://www.economist.com/node/3445119 </ref>. "The headlines of the nations’ leading papers continue to document increasing levels of political corruption, the rapid spread of diseases such as aids and tuberculosis, gang violence, abuses against women and ethnic minorities, shortages in food/medicine, and economic woes that make Bhutan barely discernible from any other nation. Given the size of its population, Bhutan is actually in much worse shape than most of the GDP measuring nations that GNH advocates like to condemn”. <ref> The GSD Magazine https://www.gsdmagazine.org/the-false-promises-of-bhutans-gross-national-happiness/ </ref>

Revision as of 11:55, 17 February 2018

"What is Gross National Happiness", an info-graphical video.
Slogan about Gross National Happiness in Thimphu's School of Traditional Arts.

Gross National Happiness (also known by the acronym: GNH) is a philosophy that guides the government of Bhutan. It includes an index which is used to measure the collective happiness and well-being of a population. Gross National Happiness is instituted as the goal of the government of Bhutan in the Constitution of Bhutan, enacted on 18 July 2008.[1]

The term Gross National Happiness was coined in 1972 during an interview by a British journalist for the Financial Times at Bombay airport when the then king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, said "Gross National Happiness is more important that Gross National Product."[2][3][4]

In 2011, The UN General Assembly passed Resolution "Happiness: towards a holistic approach to development" urging member nations to follow the example of Bhutan and measure happiness and well-being and calling happiness a "fundamental human goal."[5]

In 2012, Bhutan's Prime Minister Jigme Thinley and the Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon of the United Nations convened the High Level Meeting: Well-being and Happiness: Defining a New Economic Paradigm to encourage the spread of Bhutan's GNH philosophy.[6] At the High Level meeting, the first World Happiness Report was issued. Shortly after the High Level meeting, 20 March was declared to be International Day of Happiness by the UN in 2012 with resolution 66/28.[7]

Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay proclaimed a preference for focus on more concrete goals instead of promoting GNH when he took office,[8] but subsequently has protected the GNH of his country and promoted the concept internationally.[9] Other Bhutanese officials also promote the spread of GNH at the UN and internationally.[10][11]

GNH Defined

GNH is distinguishable from Gross Domestic Product by valuing collective happiness as the goal of governance, by emphasizing harmony with nature and traditional values as expressed in the 9 domains of happiness and 4 pillars of GNH.[12] The four pillars of GNH's are 1) sustainable and equitable socio-economic development; 2) environmental conservation; 3) preservation and promotion of culture; and 4) good governance.[13] The nine domains of GNH are psychological well-being, health, time use, education, cultural diversity and resilience, good governance, community vitality, ecological diversity and resilience, and living standards.[14][15] Each domain is composed of subjective (survey-based) and objective indicators. The domains weigh equally but the indicators within each domain differ by weight.[16]

Implementation of GNH in Bhutan

The Gross National Happiness Commission is charged with implementing GNH in Bhutan.[17] The GNH Commission is composed of the Secretaries each of the ministries of the government, the Prime Minister, and the Secretary of the GNH Commission.[18] The GNH Commission's tasks include conceiving and implementing the nation's 5 year plan and promulgating policies. The GNH Index is used to measure the happiness and well-being of Bhutan's population. A GNH Policy Screening Tool[19] and a GNH Project Screening Tool is used by the GNH commission to determine whether to pass policies or implement projects.[20] The GHN Screening tools used by the Bhutanese GNH Commission for anticipating the impact of policy initiatives upon the levels of GNH in Bhutan.[21]

The GNH Index was developed by the Centre for Bhutan Studies with the help of the United Nations to help measure the progress of Bhutanese society. In 2008, the first nationwide GNH survey was conducted.[22] It was followed by a second one in 2010.[23] The third nationwide survey was conducted in 2015.[24] The GNH survey covers all twenty districts (Dzonkhag) and results are reported for varying demographic factors such as gender, age, abode, and occupation. The data is used compare the happiness between different groups of citizens,[25] and changes over time.[26]

Spread of GNH Outside of Bhutan

In Victoria, British Columbia, a shortened version of Bhutan's GNH survey was used by the local government, local foundations and governmental agencies under the leadership of Martha and Michael Pennock to assess the population of Victoria.[27][28]

In the state of Saõ Paulo, Brazil, Susan Andrews[29] through her organization Future Vision Ecological Park, used a version of Bhutan's GNH at a community level in some cities.[30]

In Seattle, Washington, a version of the GNH Index was used by the Seattle City Council and Sustainable Seattle to assess the happiness and well-being of the Seattle Area population.[31][32][33] Other cities and areas, including Eau Clair, Wisconsin, Creston, British Colunbia and Vermont also used a version of the GNH Index.[34]

At the University of Oregon, a behavioral model of GNH based on the use of positive and negative words in social network status updates was developed by Adam Kramer.[35]

In 2016, Thailand launched its own GNH center.[36] The former king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, was a close friend of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and conceived the similar philosophy of Sufficiency Economy.

Many other cities and governments have undertaken efforts to measure happiness and well-being (also termed "Beyond GDP"[37]) since the High Level Meeting in 2012, but have not used versions of Bhutan's GNH index. Among these include the national governments of the United Kingdom's Office of National Statistics[38] and the United Arab Emirates,[39] and cities including Somerville, MA[40] and Bristol, United Kingdom[41]. Also a number of companies which are implementing sustainability practices in business have been inspired by GNH. [42]

Criticism

GNH has been described by critics as a propaganda tool used by the Bhutanese government to distract from ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses it has committed.[43][44]

According to the critics, the original GNH philosophy tenets were not compatible with modern, open and democratic societies. Two of the four main tenants, specifically, good governance and cultural preservation were linked to the suffering and unhappiness of many of Kingdom population. They claim that government propaganda has resulted in the corruption of historical truth about the original meaning of GNH and resulting government policies. For three decades since the coining of the phrase GNH, the kingdom was ruled as a monarchy and authoritarian rule. Bhutan became a democracy only after 2008. Before that time the country saw one of the largest ethno-religious cleansing against its non-Buddhist population of ethnic Nepalese of Hindu faith as a result of the GNH cultural preservation. The government denied ethnic cleansing charges but international organizations documented the events. According to Human Rights Watch, “Over 100,000 or 1/6 of the population of Bhutan of Nepalese origin and Hindu faith were expelled from the country because they would not integrate with Bhutan’s Buddhist culture.” [45] Referring to the government GNH propaganda, Refugee Council of Australia stated that “It is extraordinary and shocking that a nation can get away with expelling one sixth of its people and somehow keep its international reputation largely intact. The Government of Bhutan should be known not for Gross National Happiness but for Gross National Hypocrisy." [46]

The government linked Centre for Bhutan Studies that is credited with the creation of Bhutan's local GNH Index and the lead international promoter of Bhutan GNH history in western academic and political circles, failed to mention the earlier GNH policy mistakes and how western scholarly contributions and democratic values influenced and changed GNH policies to fit modern democratic governance values. Some western historical researchers state that Bhutan's GNH philosophy “has evolved over the last decade through the contribution of western and local scholars to a version that is more democratic and open. Therefore, probably, the more accurate historical reference is to mention the coining of the GNH phrase as a key event, but not the Bhutan GNH philosophy, because the philosophy as understood by western scholars is different from the philosophy used by the King at the time.” [47]

This criticism has been countered by Bhutanese and some western promoters of Bhutan GNH philosophy, stating that GNH is a process of development and learning, rather than an objective norm or absolute end point. Bhutan aspires to enhance the happiness of its people and GNH serves as a measurement tool for realizing that aspiration. [48].

Scholars who defend Bhutan GNH history are seen as Bhutan apologetics and are criticized for not reporting on the negative impact of historical GNH policies of the Kingdom. According to the Economist Magazine, “The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is not in fact an idyll in a fairy tale. It is home to perhaps 900,000 people most of whom live in grinding poverty." [49]. "The headlines of the nations’ leading papers continue to document increasing levels of political corruption, the rapid spread of diseases such as aids and tuberculosis, gang violence, abuses against women and ethnic minorities, shortages in food/medicine, and economic woes that make Bhutan barely discernible from any other nation. Given the size of its population, Bhutan is actually in much worse shape than most of the GDP measuring nations that GNH advocates like to condemn”. [50]

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ "The Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan" (PDF). National Council. Royal Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  2. ^ Dorji, Tashi (15 June 2012). "The story of a king, a poor country, and a rich idea". Business Bhutan. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  3. ^ Dorji, Tashi (15 June 2012). "The story of a king, a poor country, and a rich idea". Business Bhutan. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  4. ^ "FAQ on GNH" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Happiness : towards a holistic approach to development : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly".[dead link]
  6. ^ Bhutan (2012). "Defining a New Economic Paradigm: The Report of the High-Level Meeting on Wellbeing and Happiness". United Nations. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 28 June 2012 66/281. International Day of Happiness".
  8. ^ Harris, Gardiner (4 October 2013). "Index of Happiness? Bhutan's New Leader Prefers More Concrete Goals". The New York Times.
  9. ^ "Tshering Tobgay: this country isn't just carbon neutral, it's carbon negative TED talk". TED.com.
  10. ^ "'Pursuit of happiness is fundamental human goal,' Minister of Bhutan tells UN Assembly".
  11. ^ "In Bhutan, Happiness Index as Gauge for Social Ills". NYTimes.com.
  12. ^ Ura, Karma; Alkire, Sabina; Zangmo, Tshoki; Wangdi, Karma (May 2012). An Extensive Analysis of GNH Index (PDF). Thimphu, Bhutan: The Centre for Bhutan Studies. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  13. ^ Tenth Five-Year Plan: 2008-2013 (PDF). Thimphu, Bhutan: Gross National Happiness Commission - Royal Government of Bhutan, Actual Date of Publishing 25 June 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  14. ^ Ura, Karma (2008). "Understanding the Development Philosophy of Gross National Happiness". Interview with Bhutan Broadcasting Service.
  15. ^ "Welcome to the CBS's works on Gross National Happiness!". Gross National Happiness. www.grossnationalhappiness.com/. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  16. ^ Ura, Karma (2012). "A Short Guide to the Gross National Happiness Index" (PDF). The Centre for Bhutan Studies.
  17. ^ "Gross National Happiness Commission".
  18. ^ "Commission Members".
  19. ^ "GNH Screening Tool".
  20. ^ "GNH Tools".
  21. ^ Pennock, M; Ura, K. "Gross national happiness as a framework for health impact assessment". Environmental Impact Assessment Review. 31: 61–65. doi:10.1016/j.eiar.2010.04.003.
  22. ^ "The Gross National Happiness Index of Bhutan. Method and Illustrative Results" (PDF). OECD.org.
  23. ^ "2010 Survey Results".
  24. ^ "A Compass Towards A Just and Harmonious Society: 2015 GNH Survey Report" (PDF).
  25. ^ "Bhutan's Gross National Happiness Index".
  26. ^ A Compass Towards a Just and Harmoneous Society: 2015 GNH Survey Report. Thimphu, Bhutan: Centre for Bhutan Studies & GNH Research. 2016. ISBN 978-99936-14-86-9.
  27. ^ "The Happiness Index Partnership".
  28. ^ Chatterjee, Rhitu (3 October 2011). "Measuring Happiness in Victoria, British Columbia". pri.org.
  29. ^ "Susan Andrews".
  30. ^ "GNH ´s Pilot Project in Brazil".
  31. ^ Musikanski, Laura (January 2013). "The Happiness Initiative: The Serious Business of Well-Being". Solutions Journal. 4: 34–39.
  32. ^ "Does Your Town Need A Happiness Index?".
  33. ^ "How Happy is Seattle?".
  34. ^ "WikiProgress Knowledge Base - Happiness Alliance". WikiProgress.org.
  35. ^ Kramer, Adam. "An unobtrusive behavioral model of "gross national happiness"". Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems: 287–290. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  36. ^ "Thailand GNH Center". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ "BRAINPOoL Final Report: Beyond GDP – From Measurement to Politics and Policy" (PDF).
  38. ^ "Measuring National Well-being: Personal Well-being in the UK, 2014 to 2015".
  39. ^ "Happy UAE".
  40. ^ "Somerville Happiness Survey responses - 2011, 2013, 2015".
  41. ^ "Happy City Happiness Pulse".
  42. ^ Sander G. Tideman (2016), Gross National Happiness: Lessons for sustainability Leadership, South Asian Journal of Global Business Research, Vol. 5 Iss 2 pp. 190 – 213
  43. ^ Thapa, Saurav Jung (July 2011). "Bhutan's Hoax: of Gross National Happiness". Wave Magazine. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011.
  44. ^ Arora, Vishal (25 April 2014). "Bhutan's Human Rights Record Defies 'Happiness' Claim". The Diplomat.
  45. ^ Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/news/2008/02/01/bhutans-ethnic-cleansing
  46. ^ The Australian Refugee Council https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/media/time-to-challenge-bhutans-gross-national-hypocrisy/
  47. ^ The History of Gross National Happiness https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317151566_The_History_of_Gross_National_Happiness
  48. ^ Sander G. Tideman (2016), Gross National Happiness: Lessons for Sustainability Leadership South Asian Journal of Global Business Research, Vol. 5 Iss 2 pp. 190 – 213
  49. ^ The Economist Magazine http://www.economist.com/node/3445119
  50. ^ The GSD Magazine https://www.gsdmagazine.org/the-false-promises-of-bhutans-gross-national-happiness/

References

  • Tideman, Sander G. (2016), Gross National Happiness: Lessons for Sustainability Leadership, South Asian Journal of Global Business Research, Vol. 5 Iss 2 pp. 190 – 213
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