Bhutan's Big Idea: How Gross National Happiness Could Transform the World!

“I believe that while Gross National Happiness is inherently Bhutanese, its ideas may have a positive relevance to any nation, peoples or communities – wherever they may be”

-??????His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Gross National Happiness (GNH) and its origins in Bhutan.

Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a holistic approach developed by the Royal Government of Bhutan to measure the country's progress and success that considers socio-economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation, alongside spiritual and mental wellbeing. GNH originated in Bhutan in the 1970s, when His Majesty the Great fourth king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, identified GNH as a core value of the Bhutanese way of life. It was officially adopted as a national goal in 2008, and its principles have been enshrined in the country's constitution.

The limitations of using Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the sole measure of a country's success have been increasingly recognized in recent years. GDP reflects only the monetary value of goods and services produced within a country's borders and is therefore an incomplete measure of a country's economic performance. GDP ignores factors such as income distribution, environmental degradation, social inequality, and public health, which can have a significant impact on people's lives. Furthermore, GDP does not factor in the value of unpaid work, such as parenting and volunteering, which are essential for healthy and functioning societies.

In contrast, GNH acknowledges the interconnectedness of economic, social, and environmental systems and focuses on the overall wellbeing of citizens rather than just their material wealth. GNH takes into account not only economic production but also cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and spiritual and mental wellbeing. It provides a more comprehensive approach to measuring a country's progress and success while placing people's happiness at the center of policy-making.

In conclusion, while GDP has been the traditional measure of a country's progress and success, GNH offers a more holistic approach that considers the wellbeing of citizens, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, and spiritual and mental wellbeing. Bhutan's adoption of GNH as a national goal has attracted significant international attention and offers a unique perspective on development that could serve as a model for other countries seeking to move beyond GDP as the sole measure of success.

Four Pillars of GNH

The four pillars of Gross National Happiness (GNH), a concept developed in Bhutan, include sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, preservation and promotion of culture, conservation of environment, and good governance. These pillars are interlinked and essential to the holistic well-being of individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole.

The first pillar, sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, focuses on achieving economic growth while ensuring that it is sustainable and equitable. Bhutan strives towards a balanced and inclusive growth that benefits all sections of the society. To achieve this, the country has implemented various policies and programs like the Bhutan Economic Stimulus Plan, the Green New Deal initiative, and the Small and Cottage Industries Development policy. These initiatives aim to create a vibrant, diversified, and innovative economy that is not solely dependent on natural resources.

The second pillar, preservation and promotion of culture, emphasizes the importance of preserving Bhutan's unique culture and traditions. Bhutan takes pride in its rich culture and traditions, which are deeply ingrained in the fabric of its society. The country has taken several measures to preserve and promote its culture, including initiatives like the National Cultural Policy of Bhutan, the establishment of the Royal Academy of Performing Arts and the Institute of Language and Culture Studies, and the preservation of ancient monuments and sites.

The third pillar, conservation of the environment, recognises that environmental conservation is critical to achieving sustainable development. Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world that places a priority on environmental conservation. The country has set a target of maintaining at least 60% of its land under forest cover, and it has established 10 national parks and protected areas where wildlife is carefully preserved. Bhutan has also implemented a carbon-neutral policy that focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy sources, and implementing sustainable waste management practices.

Lastly, good governance is the pillar that underscores the importance of responsible and accountable governance. Bhutan's governance system ensures the participation of all members of society in decision-making processes through the principles of decentralisation and democracy. The government ensures that there is accountability, transparency, and responsiveness in its policies and programs. Bhutan's National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Strategy is a comprehensive framework that aims to promote integrity, transparency, and accountability within the government and other institutions.

The four pillars of GNH are instrumental in achieving holistic well-being, and Bhutan's policies and practices serve as an excellent example of how these pillars can be prioritized. Bhutan's focus on achieving economic growth while ensuring sustainability, preserving its unique culture and traditions, protecting the environment, and promoting good governance has made it a model for other countries to follow in their pursuit of sustainable development.

GNH Beyond Bhutan

Bhutan's Gross National Happiness Index has inspired some other countries to explore alternative measures beyond GDP. But Bhutan remains the only country that officially adopted GNH as a guiding policy principle and primary measure of progress.

Some countries that have shown interest in GNH or adopted related concepts include:

UN adopted Bhutan's call for a holistic approach to development, a move endorsed by 68 countries. A UN panel is now considering ways that Bhutan's GNH model can be replicated across the globe.

UK - The UK government commissioned a report on Measuring National Well-being. It considers measures like life satisfaction, happiness and well-being. But GNH has not been officially adopted.

France - France has launched a commission to rethink economic metrics beyond GDP. It aims to include well-being and environmental indicators in measuring prosperity. But GNH is not directly adopted.

Canada - Canada conducts surveys to measure well-being and happiness of citizens. Some Canadian thinkers have proposed GNH-like approaches but no concrete adoption of GNH index yet.

Italy - Italy held a GNH conference in 2010 and there is interest in alternative prosperity measures. But Italy still relies primarily on GDP and has not fully adopted GNH.

Netherlands - The Dutch government measures well-being using surveys and some ecological indicators. But GNH is not formally adopted and GDP remains the main metric.

Indian states - A few states in India like Kerala have proposed GNH-inspired approaches focusing on happiness and well-being. But GNH is not officially adopted in any Indian state.

Latin American countries - Ecuador adopted Buen Vivir which shares some ideals with GNH. But otherwise GNH is not formally adopted in any other Latin American country.

While GNH has inspired many and sparked interest in well-being economics around the world, Bhutan remains the only country that officially adopted GNH as an alternative framework for development and progress. Most other places still primarily rely on GDP and have not fully implemented GNH.

Applying GNH in Businesses and Daily life’s

Prioritise employee well-being: Provide good working conditions, benefits like health insurance, paid time off, flexible work options, training and development opportunities, etc. This enhances employee happiness, health and productivity.

?Promote social and environmental responsibility: Consider the impact of business practices on community, society and environment. Implement sustainable and eco-friendly practices. Support social good through philanthropy or cause-driven initiatives.

Value diversity and inclusion: Foster a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. Promote diversity in hiring, teams, leadership and business goals.

Adopt alternative metrics

Go beyond just measuring financial profits and growth. Include metrics on well-being, happiness, sustainability, diversity, engagement, etc. Get stakeholder input and set holistic business goals.

Encourage purpose and meaning

Help employees find meaning and purpose in their work. Effective communication of business purpose and values can inspire greater motivation, commitment and innovation.

Practice compassion and generosity

Treat all stakeholders with kindness, care, fairness and generosity. Be flexible, share rewards and offer assistance to those in need whether employees, community or environment.

Empower and trust

Delegate meaningful work and responsibility to employees and trust them to get the job done. Provide autonomy and flexibility along with appropriate support and guidance. Empowerment breeds high engagement, productivity and well-being.

Some businesses that have successfully incorporated GNH principles include:

Patagonia: Provides excellent working conditions, uses organic and eco-friendly materials, implements sustainable practices and environmental activism is part of their mission and brand. They empower employees and value purpose and meaning.

Quicken Loans: Achieves one of the highest employee satisfaction and productivity through flexible work options, meaningful work, learning and development opportunities, profit sharing and strong company culture.

Sumatra Coffee: Pays fair prices to coffee farmers, provides education and training to promote sustainability and enrich livelihoods. Values diversity, environmental protection and empowering communities.

Tata Group (India): Pioneered concepts like sustainable and ethical business, employment of locals, staff welfare, and giving back to society. Other Tata companies also lead in areas like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, non-profits initiatives, etc. They consider well-being of all stakeholders as important as profit.

TOMS Shoes: For every pair of shoes sold, they give a pair to a child in need. They empower women artisans, use sustainable materials and consider their social impact mission as compelling as their business model. They inspire purpose and meaning through their brand and business practices.

Incorporating the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) into business practices is a holistic approach that goes beyond the traditional focus on economic growth and profitability. By prioritizing the well-being of employees, promoting social responsibility and sustainability, and valuing diversity and cultural awareness, businesses can create a positive impact on society and the environment while also enhancing their own long-term success.

One way businesses can incorporate GNH principles into their practices is by fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes employee well-being. This can involve creating a supportive and inclusive work environment that values the physical and mental health of employees, provides opportunities for professional growth and development, and rewards employees for their hard work and dedication. For example, Patagonia, the outdoor clothing company, offers its employees flexible working hours, on-site childcare, and generous paid time off, among other benefits. This focus on employee well-being has helped Patagonia create a loyal and passionate workforce that is committed to its mission.

Another way businesses can promote GNH in their practices is by embracing social responsibility and sustainability. This involves considering the impact of their operations on the environment and society and taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint, promote fair labor practices, and support local communities. For example, the Body Shop, a cosmetics company, sources its raw materials from sustainable and ethical sources, uses eco-friendly packaging, and supports various social and environmental causes through its Community Trade program. This commitment to social and environmental responsibility has helped the Body Shop build a strong brand reputation and attract socially-conscious consumers.

Finally, businesses can incorporate GNH principles into their practices by valuing diversity and cultural awareness. This involves recognizing the importance of different cultures and perspectives and creating a workplace culture that promotes inclusivity, tolerance, and respect. For example, Airbnb offers its employees cultural exchange programs in which they can stay with Airbnb hosts from different cultures and experience their way of life. This has helped Airbnb create a dynamic and diverse workforce that is better able to connect with its diverse customer base.

Overall, incorporating GNH principles into business practices can help create a more sustainable, fulfilling, and socially responsible business model. By prioritizing employee well-being, promoting social responsibility and sustainability, and valuing diversity and cultural awareness, businesses can create a positive impact on society and the environment while also enhancing their own long-term success.

Some Critiques and Challenges

Difficulty in measuring happiness: GNH relies on subjective well-being measures like happiness surveys which can be difficult to quantify and compare across cultures. However, GNH proponents argue that both objective and subjective metrics are needed, and happiness research is advancing. Many also feel that alternative metrics, while imperfect, still provide useful insights.

Risk of cultural imperialism: Some critics argue that GNH promotes a Western concept of happiness and well-being as the overriding goal, which can marginalize unique cultural values and priorities. However, Bhutan argues that GNH is rooted in Bhutanese culture and history, and should inspire but not dictate choices for other nations or communities. Diversity and cultural sensitivity are also GNH principles.

Addressing climate change: While GNH emphasizes sustainable development and environmental protection, it has been critiqued as not doing enough to counter existential threats like climate change. Proponents counter that GNH aims for sustainable balance, not business as usual. But most agree pressing issues demand a comprehensive response.

Other nations and world acting now: You raise a fair point that while Bhutan has pioneered GNH, the concept will only have real impact if adopted more broadly. Simply measuring GNH within Bhutan's borders is insufficient to counter global issues or inspire real global change. The world must apply GNH practices, not just study them.

Some additional challenges include: lack of economic expertise in developing GNH; difficulty in attracting foreign business and investment to Bhutan; limited resources to implement GNH across different sectors; political challenges in transitioning from established metrics like GDP; lack of understanding about GNH outside of Bhutan; and limited research on GNH's real-world impacts, results and consequences.

Still, GNH has inspired important conversations about societal progress, well-being economics and sustainable development. With time, measurable improvements in measurement, cultural adoption around the world and integrated solutions to pressing issues, GNH can push past current challenges and limitations to inspire greater global prosperity. But getting to that point will require effort, dedication and real-world application of GNH principles across nations, businesses, communities and individuals.

GNH is an innovative framework, but like any concept, it must aim beyond theorising to activate meaningful and impactful change.

GNH is an inspirational framework but will only create real and global change if adopted broadly through applied practice, not just knowledge or intent. The world must work towards happiness and well-being, not just economic growth, for sustainable progress.

GNH provides a holistic and balanced perspective on what constitutes a good, just, and prosperous society. While still limited in scope and scale, GNH illustrates that well-being should be the goal of progress, not just a by-product. By reflecting on GNH, each of us can start building a happier, sustainable and flourishing future for all.