Economic Recession: What the World can Learn from Bhutan?

(This entry was originally uploaded on May 2009.)

The global economic recession is still there and most people in rich and poor countries are not immune from it. It seems that it has affected Bhutan because the country does not belong to the modern economic system. Free market and globalization both are not in the high agenda of Bhutanese government. Instead, they want to promote the idea of Gross National Happiness (GNH). It may sound foolish and laughable but the reality is that the government of country pursues this goal seriously.

I found an interesting report in The Scotsman. Seth Mydans wrote this report based on an interview of Prime Minister Jigme Thinley and Kinley Dorji (information Minister) who are among the top decision makers in the country. Both of these ministers stated that they intend to keep Bhutan this way. Of course, many people in the country are behind this idea too. Or else, there would have been a lot of conflict.

Pursuing the idea of happiness means giving more importance to spirituality.

Perhaps, the rich countries can learn something from Bhutan. They should also promote the idea of happiness among the citizens so that when bad times come people do not lose hope.