Gross National Happiness
A Sustainability Case Study
Is Gross National Happiness Possible?
Happiness is hard to measure, after all my happiness may not be yours. As we develop and mature our own life cycle awareness and the happiness we feel it often involves looking beyond our selves for answers. Matters of sustainability and rethinking the notion of it are no different.
We can learn a lot from taking a look at how one small country in the world has broadened their scope to not only embrace economic strength but to embrace economic strength as a byproduct of national happiness. The Bhutanese have defined it as Gross National Happiness (GNH).
The Kingdom of Bhutan is a teeny tiny, very diverse country with approximately 1.2 million people, most of which live a day’s walk to a ‘city’. It spans across 46,500 square kilometers of landlocked terrain that is roughly the size of Switzerland. The Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and India in all other directions bound the country.
We can learn a lot from taking a look at how one small country in the world has broadened their scope to not only embrace economic strength but to embrace economic strength as a byproduct of national happiness. The Bhutanese have defined it as Gross National Happiness (GNH).
The Kingdom of Bhutan is a teeny tiny, very diverse country with approximately 1.2 million people, most of which live a day’s walk to a ‘city’. It spans across 46,500 square kilometers of landlocked terrain that is roughly the size of Switzerland. The Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and India in all other directions bound the country.
The Bhutanese believe a happy society is a caring society, not only caring for the past but also looking ahead to ensure caring for their future. These compassionate stances embrace consideration for their fragile environment, and compassion for those who need protection. Through conscientious management of environmental resources the country maintains very important cultural traditions, values and lifestyles because they know that is the fabric of who they are.
David Zurick, author of GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS IN BHUTAN, explains the premise of GNH. “Development should not be limited to increased consumption and the accumulation of wealth but, rather, should seek to maximize happiness by attending to the shared needs of humanity” (Zurick 2006).
David Zurick, author of GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS IN BHUTAN, explains the premise of GNH. “Development should not be limited to increased consumption and the accumulation of wealth but, rather, should seek to maximize happiness by attending to the shared needs of humanity” (Zurick 2006).
GNH’s essential qualities focus on economics, spirituality, and emotional well being that the Bhutanese believe will translate specifically to developmental strategies. These strategies include economic development, environmental preservation, promotion of cultural identity, and judicious governance.
They clearly recognize that a fabric of interrelated systems holds them together. Focusing only on economics, for example, is a single-minded approach that never gets to the bottom of the deepest concerns and issues of civility and the environment in which it resides. The Bhutanese embrace a concept that we might consider ourselves. They see themselves as connected to the world rather than separate from the world. Once this concept is fully understood and appreciated Bhutanese moved naturally to seeing how their actions create the problems they experience. This is quite different from a common belief that problems are caused by someone or something beyond us.
The Bhutanese take responsibility for the reality they create. They recognize for systems to change purposeful interaction between the individuals and their community must be established and thoughtfully maintained.
While there are significant complexities to GNH Bhutan recognizes the inherent contradictions in measuring happiness. "No one can guarantee human happiness, and the choices people make are their own concern. But the process of development should at least create a conducive environment for people, individually and collectively, to develop their full potential and to have a reasonable chance of leading productive and creative lives in accord with their needs and interests" (Zurick 2006).
These admirable endeavors are worth taking a look at. Many in the world are taking pause and watching as Bhutan’s unique development strategy with happiness, as it’s key driver, unfolds. Through thoughtful dedication to GNH today the country maintains 100% organic agriculture, they have dedicated one day per week to walk or take public transportation – no personal vehicles run on Tuesday and all citizens have free access to basic public health services in both modern and traditional medicine. I invite you to watch a short twelve-minute documentary that outlines the countries objectives, some of the progress they have made and the very clear commitment to a contextual view that supports their achievements.
They clearly recognize that a fabric of interrelated systems holds them together. Focusing only on economics, for example, is a single-minded approach that never gets to the bottom of the deepest concerns and issues of civility and the environment in which it resides. The Bhutanese embrace a concept that we might consider ourselves. They see themselves as connected to the world rather than separate from the world. Once this concept is fully understood and appreciated Bhutanese moved naturally to seeing how their actions create the problems they experience. This is quite different from a common belief that problems are caused by someone or something beyond us.
The Bhutanese take responsibility for the reality they create. They recognize for systems to change purposeful interaction between the individuals and their community must be established and thoughtfully maintained.
While there are significant complexities to GNH Bhutan recognizes the inherent contradictions in measuring happiness. "No one can guarantee human happiness, and the choices people make are their own concern. But the process of development should at least create a conducive environment for people, individually and collectively, to develop their full potential and to have a reasonable chance of leading productive and creative lives in accord with their needs and interests" (Zurick 2006).
These admirable endeavors are worth taking a look at. Many in the world are taking pause and watching as Bhutan’s unique development strategy with happiness, as it’s key driver, unfolds. Through thoughtful dedication to GNH today the country maintains 100% organic agriculture, they have dedicated one day per week to walk or take public transportation – no personal vehicles run on Tuesday and all citizens have free access to basic public health services in both modern and traditional medicine. I invite you to watch a short twelve-minute documentary that outlines the countries objectives, some of the progress they have made and the very clear commitment to a contextual view that supports their achievements.