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The Himalayan nation of has been a leader in development decide to put something as ephemeral as devising and promoting an alternative development happiness fi rst? paradigm called . The king’s Th e king’s statement signaled that Bhutan’s develop- statement “Gross National Happiness is more impor- ment process would grow out of its own cultural context, tant than Gross National Product” arose from including its ancient Vajrayana Buddhist traditions, rather , which recognizes the transitory nature of than being imposed by foreign experts. Development material satisfactions. This view, together with the fi nd- would need to support the Buddhist quest for enlighten- ings of positive psychology, is encouraging Western ment for the good of all sentient beings—a quest associ- nations to measure the full spectrum of human ated with the development of enduring equanimity, well-being. compassion, and spiritual inspiration at the individual and collective levels. n 1972, the fourth king of the Himalayan nation of I Bhutan, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, proclaimed, Buddhist Roots “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product”—a statement that challenged In articulating gross national happiness (GNH), the king prevailing theories around the drew on Bhutan’s deep well of compassion for and non- world. violence toward all sentient beings, based in its 1,200- Th e proclamation was especially bold because tiny, year history of Buddhism. His statement connected with mountainous Bhutan, wedged between and , previous policies, also grounded in Buddhism. A 1675 was—at that time—one of the world’s least-developed Buddhist equivalent of a social contract declared that and most-isolated nations. Even today, it is among the happiness of all sentient beings and the teachings of the least-developed countries in the world, according to the Buddha are mutually dependent. In 1729, a Bhutanese Offi ce of the High Representative for Least Developed legal code required that laws promote happiness of sen- Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small tient beings. Island Developing States (OHRLLS) at the United Among the tenets of Buddhism are the ideas that all Nations (UN DESA and OHRLLS 2011). Extreme beings want to be happy, and that, while life is full of suf- topography and self-imposed isolationism kept Bhutan fering, the cessation of suff ering through guidance, prac- cut off from most visitors from beyond the Himalayan tice, and attention is possible, leading to the achievement region until 1974, when foreign dignitaries arrived for of enlightenment. Interdependent co-arising—the con- the king’s coronation. In the 1970s, more than 90 percent cept that there are no independently existing causes, of Bhutan’s populace lived in rural areas. Fewer than identities, or egos—creates the impetus to protect life. 1,200 kilometers of roads facilitated movement about the Th e doctrine of karma teaches that one always reaps the country. Villagers eked out subsistence livelihoods on the benefi ts or harms of one’s actions, which provides further steep hillsides, without electricity, running water, or incentive to treat other living beings compassionately and mechanized means of tilling their fi elds. How could a considerately. Within Vajrayana Buddhism, the fi gure of nation that sorely needed and economic the bodhisattva (one who attains enlightenment but 180

www.berkshirepublishing.com © 2012 Berkshire Publishing Group, all rights reserved. GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESSLS • 181 remains on the earthly plane to assist other sentient natural , chemical leaks, epidemics, or drug beings in their eff orts toward enlightenment) is revered, addiction. Th e GDP measures also ignore the externali- indicating a cultural imperative to generate boundless ties of industrial , such as pollution, environ- compassion. mental degradation, and toxic waste, which have negative and ecological eff ects over large areas. A more accurate accounting of the costs of production would GNH and subtract these social costs and make GDP more meaningful. During the 1980s and 1990s, the king further elaborated Table 1, on the next page, summarizes the primary on the concept of GNH as Bhutan’s guiding development concepts of GNH compared to established development policy. He criticized standard socioeconomic develop- measurement approaches. ment indicators for measuring means rather than ends, Because GDP measures production, and indicated that happiness would be the goal of devel- must continually increase in order to raise production opment in Bhutan. Th e king proclaimed that Bhutanese rates. Th rough increasing production, a nation may rap- development would recognize the social, spiritual, and idly deplete its natural , which registers as an emotional needs, as well as the material needs, of the increase in GDP even as it drives down , individual, instead of being based solely on economic the of resources available for the future. GDP thus measures and consumption. He recast “development” to can have an inverse relationship to GNH: as circum- mean the enlightenment of the individual through the stances get worse, the economic standing of a nation creation a harmonious psychological, social, and eco- rises. In contrast, GNH is inherently predisposed toward nomic environment that could lead to the blossoming of because it recognizes that material devel- happiness. Measuring the country’s consumption of opment is not the only valid measure of human , goods and services would not refl ect the paramount goal and it understands that declining natural resources are a of spiritual development. drain rather than a boon to GDP. Th e king and his advisors further defi ned GNH as standing on four “pillars”: sustainable and equitable socioeconomic development, environmental conserva- GNH and Global Policy tion, preservation and promotion of culture, and good governance, which guided development eff orts in the late With the introduction of GNH onto the global stage in 1990s and early . Th ese four pillars make it clear 1998 at the Millennium Meeting for and the Pacifi c that socioeconomic development represents only one- in Seoul, South , the concept began to gain inter- quarter of the necessary conditions for the promotion of national currency. Gross National Happiness , a book GNH. Economic development, rather than being a cen- of discussion papers, was published in Bhutan on the tral metric for measuring progress, is part of a constella- occasion of the king’s Silver Jubilee in 1999. In 2001, the tion of metrics. Centre for Bhutan Studies co-hosted a seminar entitled In articulating this vision, the king and his advisors “GNH—As Challenged by the Concept of Decent pointed out a well-recognized diffi culty with standard ” in the , with which Bhutan has measures of a country’s development or success, such as a close aid relationship. In 2002, the South Asian gross domestic product (GDP). Th is measure refl ects the Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) planning economic of all production of goods and services in and economic ministers embraced GNH as a strategy for a country during a given period and is typically seen as a reduction in southern Asia. proxy for , such that greater consump- A series of conferences, begun in 2004 in Bhutan, has tion of goods and services implies a higher material stan- helped spread awareness of GNH, while supporting the dard of living. As the Bhutanese have noted, however, Bhutanese government in creating tools to operationalize after certain basic material needs are met, greater con- and eventually measure GNH. International experts in sumption of material goods does not guarantee greater , psychology, policy, and other aspects of happiness. Further, as ecological point out, development were invited to deliberate on how Bhutan the correlation between GDP and standard of living might use its development paradigm to guide interna- breaks down when a country increases its spending to tional engagement and material improvements in the combat social problems (see, for example, Daly and Cobb lives of local people. Th e conferences also introduced aca- 1994; Norgaard 1994; Planning Commission, Royal demics and policy experts from around the world to an Government of Bhutan 1999). In that scenario, GDP alternative development paradigm, which many have continues to rise, even as greater shares of resources are worked to implement at various scales in their home used to ameliorate drains on society, such as crime, countries. Conferences on GNH have since been held in

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Table 1. Comparison of GNH and Traditional Development Paradigms

UN Millennium Traditional GNH Development Goals Development Seeks to maximize Individual and national Social Strong (as happiness measured by gross national product and gross domestic product) Needs to be met Material, spiritual, and Peace and security, human rights, Material, through emotional and , international economic primarily through provision of cooperation , health, and equality Seeks to transform Individual, within society Society, global North–South Economies relations Success defi ned as High level of happiness Elimination of poverty, universal Strong, stable economies, nationwide primary education, improvement leading to high levels of of health indicators material well-being Based in Buddhism Humanitarianism Economics Societal sectors of Human development, Poverty and hunger, universal , trade, infra- concern culture and heritage, primary education, structure, poverty eradica- balanced and equitable equality, , children, rela- tion, employment, offi cial development, governance, tion of rich and poor nations development assistance, and environmental debt, global politics conservation Key Government of Bhutan, Development , IMF,** SAARC* nations Programme and UN member WTO,*** individual states national governments Paradigm propounded Since 1972 Since 2000 Since 1944

Source: Author *South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation **International Monetary Fund ***Word Trade Organization

Canada (2005), Th ailand (2007), Bhutan (2008), and their own happiness indicators and contribute them to (2009). Bhutan organized a small international the UN’s development agenda, framed as the Millennium conference on Happiness and Economic Development in Development Goals. Th e , one of the August 2011, with Bhutanese prime minister Jigme sixty-six co-sponsors of the UN resolution, is a leader in Th inley and Jeff rey Sachs, professor and director of the the eff ort to measure happiness and well-being through Earth Institute at , as co-hosts. an initiative of its Offi ce for National Statistics. Preliminary Having generated global interest in the concept, results are expected in July 2012. Bhutanese offi cials then turned to eff orts to incorporate GNH into international planning and policy. In July 2011, after ten months of lobbying by the Bhutanese del- Measuring Happiness egation, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a nonbinding resolution calling on member nations to Th e Bhutanese concluded that they would need to mea- incorporate happiness into their development objectives. sure GNH to ensure its improvement. Th e Centre for Th e resolution encourages UN member states to develop Bhutan Studies, a think tank, devised a series of nine

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GNH variables, or “domains,” comprising ecology, cul- a bill to amend Brazil’s Constitution, making the quest ture, good governance, education, health, community for happiness an inalienable right, in early 2011. vitality, time use, psychological well-being, and living Six residents of the US state of Vermont attended the standards, each of which is further divided into numer- fourth GNH conference in Bhutan and were inspired to ous indicators that include everything from the amount launch Gross National Happiness USA (GNHUSA) in of sleep last night to “frequency of feeling of compassion” spring 2009. Th e group’s initial focused on raising and “freedom from discrimination.” Th e indicators were awareness of GNH, gathering information, and connect- developed from lengthy pilot surveys conducted around ing interested people. To kick off the national movement, the nation in 2006–2007. A second, streamlined survey GNHUSA held a conference in Vermont entitled “GNH of 950 respondents was conducted in 2007–2008. Raw 2010: Changing What We Measure from to data from this survey is available on the website of the Well-Being.” Centre for Bhutan Studies (2008a). With the variables and indicators in place, all new GNH: Values-Based Development projects and policies must pass muster with the GNH Paradigm screening tool, developed by the Centre for Bhutan Studies, and the GNH Commission, formerly the Gross national happiness off ers a way to understand Planning Commission of the Bhutanese government. As national progress that incorporates an ethical function and Bhutan works to implement GNH, other nations and values the intangible aspects of human life that are much of communities have taken up the vision and its off er of an what provides vitality and well-being. It shifts conscious- alternative to the unchecked consumption. ness away from the continual pursuit of more, bigger, and better—goals that are now well-known to be unsustainable International Adoption and highly destructive to the surrounding environment— of GNH and toward goals that can satisfy human cravings for mean- ing, connection, value, and worth. In suggesting that happiness is more important than any product, GNH helps Countries around the world, including the , us consider what material goods might be enough, and have begun experimenting with their own ideas about what suffi ciency rather than overabundance might mean for GNH. While GNH arose from Buddhist roots in our lives, our homes, and our ecosystems. Bhutan, it aligns closely with the of well-being, As sustainability becomes an ever greater concern for as well as recent studies of positive psychology and the citizens, nations, and the planet, GNH provides an economics of happiness. important alternative to GDP as a measure of individual Western European countries have led the interna- and national well-being. With the groundswell of inter- tional movement toward adopting GNH. In 2009, est in GNH that had built up by the end of the fi rst French president Nicolas Sarkozy announced a plan to decade of the twenty-fi rst century, it is likely that more make happiness a key indicator of growth, and requested countries and institutions will seek to incorporate the that Nobel Prize–winning economists promotion and measurement of happiness into their mea- and develop measures to incorporate well- sures of well-being. Th e measurement of GNH may even being into national assessments. Following ’s lead, prove to be a tool for sustainability, in that it will reveal British prime minister David Cameron called on econo- the social, psychological, and emotional diffi culties that mists and policy makers to focus on “GWB,” or “general led to unsustainable craving and . If well-being,” by polling 200,000 people about the state of these diffi culties can be identifi ed and addressed, GNH their happiness. Th e results of this poll are scheduled for may lead to a happier and more sustainable world. release in mid-2012. In the , GPI Atlantic of Nova Scotia, , Elizabeth ALLISON has been a leader since 1997 in identifying new measures Institute of Integral Studies of sustainability, well-being, and —called “genuine progress indicators”—that go beyond the unidi- See also Community and Stakeholder Input; Development mensional measures of GDP. Founder and executive Indicators; Environmental Justice Indicators; Genuine director Ronald Colman attended the fi rst two GNH Progress Indicator (GPI); Gross Domestic Product, Green; conferences to advise the Bhutanese on developing GNH (HDI); I 5 P 3 A 3 T indicators. Equation; Th e Limits to Growth ; Millennium Development Growing interest in GNH prompted Brazil to host the Goals; National Environmental Accounting; Population fi fth GNH conference and establish diplomatic relations Indicators; Social Network Analysis (SNA); Taxation with Bhutan in 2009. Brazilian policy makers introduced Indicators, Green; Weak vs. Strong Sustainability Debate

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F URTHER READING Plett, Barbara. (2011, July 21). Bhutan spreads happiness to UN. Retrieved July 28, 2011, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ Acharya, Gopilal. (2004, February 21). Operationalising gross world-14243512 national happiness. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http:// Rogers, Simon. (2011, July 25). So, how do you measure wellbeing and www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&fi le=article happiness? Retrieved July 28, 2011, from http://www.guardian. &sid=3765 co.uk/news/datablog/2011/jul/25/wellbeing-happiness-office- Th e Earth Institute, Columbia University. (2011). Bhutan conference national-statistics on gross national happiness, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2012, Sachs, Jeff rey. (2011). Th e economics of happiness. Retrieved Feb. 13, from http://www.earth.columbia.edu/bhutan-conference-2011/ 2012, from http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/ ?id=home sachs181/English Centre for Bhutan Studies. (1999). Gross national happiness. Th imphu, Seligman, Martin E. P. (2002). Authentic happiness: Using the new posi- Bhutan: Centre for Bhutan Studies. tive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfi llment. New Centre for Bhutan Studies, Gross National Happiness. (2008a). York: Free Press. Homepage. Retrieved March 25, 2011, from http://www.grossna- Stratton, Allegra. (2010, November 14). David Cameron aims to tionalhappiness.com make happiness the new GDP. Retrieved July 28, 2011, from Centre for Bhutan Studies, Gross National Happiness. (2008b). Results http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/nov/14/david-cameron- of GNH index. Retrieved on July 28, 2011, from http://www. wellbeing-inquiry grossnationalhappiness.com/gnhIndex/resultGNHIndex.aspx Tashi, Khenpo Phuntshok. (2000, May 27). Th e origin of happiness. Daly, Herman, & Cobb, John. (1994). For the common good: Redirecting Kuensel: Bhutan ’s National Newspaper. the economy toward community, the environment, and a sustainable Tashi, Khenpo Phuntshok. (2004). Th e role of Buddhism in achieving future. Boston: Beacon Press. gross national happiness (paper, First International Conference on Dorji, Tshering. (2011, July 22). Global community embraces GNH, GNH). Th imphu, Bhutan. Retrieved February 13, 2012, from offi cially. Retrieved July 28, 2011, from http://bhutantoday.bt/ http://www.bhutanstudies.org.bt/pubFiles/Gnh&dev-25.pdf index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=616: Th inley, Lyonpo Jigmi Y. (1998). Values and development: Gross global-community-embraces-gnh-offi cially national happiness (keynote address, Millennium Meeting for Asia Gilbert, Daniel Todd. (2006). Stumbling on happiness. : and the Pacifi c) . Seoul, Republic of Korea. Retrieved April 20, Knopf. 2011, from http://ndlb.thlib.org/typescripts/0000/0007/1548.pdf Gross National Happiness USA. (2009). About GNHUSA. Re trieved Th inley, Lyonpo Jigmi Y. (2005). What does gross national happiness March 25, 2011, from http://www.gnhusa.org/about-gnhusa (GNH) mean? 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Retrieved Feb. 13, (paper, First International Conference on Gross National 2012, from http://www.unohrlls.org/UserFiles/File/LDC%20 Happiness). Th imphu, Bhutan. Pocketbook2010-%20fi nal.pdf Mydans, Seth. (2009, May 6). Recalculating happiness in a Himalayan Ura, Karma. (2008). Explanation of the GNH index. Retrieved kingdom. Retrieved March 25, 2011, from http://www.nytimes. March 25, 2011, from http://www.grossnationalhappiness.com/ com/2009/05/07/world/asia/07bhutan.html?pagewanted= gnhIndex/intruductionGNH.aspx 1&_r=1 Wangchuk, Norbu. (2003, January). Gross national happiness: Norgaard, Richard. (1994). Development betrayed: Th e end of progress and Practicing the philosophy. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from a co-evolutionary revisioning of the future. Oxford, UK: Routledge. http://www.rim.edu.bt/Publication/Archive/rigphel/rigphel2/ Planning Commission, Royal Government of Bhutan, & Zimba, gnh.htm Lyonpo Yeshey. (1999). Bhutan 2020: A vision for peace, Zencey, Eric. 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