DOCSLIB.ORG

THE CONSTITUTION of BHUTAN: Principles and Philosophies by LYONPO SONAM TOBGYE

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
THE CONSTITUTION of BHUTAN: Principles and Philosophies by LYONPO SONAM TOBGYE THE CONSTITUTION OF BHUTAN: Principles and Philosophies by LYONPO SONAM TOBGYE PREFACE The Constitution of the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan encapsulate the people’s aspiration to preserve the sovereignty and indelible identity of Bhutan, the Monarchy’s adherence to the concept of grass-root level democracy and the decision of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo to effectively transfer power to the people by giving to them the fundamental charter. As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, I was associated with “the making” of the Constitution under the guidance of His Majesty and had occasion to traverse the long route from the past to the present. The book chronicles the long history of Bhutan, from beyond 1907, when the first hereditary Monarch was installed and its onward march. It also narrates its traditions, culture, philosophy based in Buddhist ideology and precepts. The people to uphold Bhutan’s unique identity and the unrivalled role of the Monarchs in holding the peoples’ rights as sacrosanct and divine preserving, protecting, and sustaining the rights of the people for all times to come. The book explains the intent and the concept which are at the root of each provision of the Constitution. The book underscores the reality that the Constitution is indeed the Supreme Law of the nation and throws light on the structure of polity. It has been carved out in the Constitution to maintain a harmonious equity between the State and the Citizens. The book wends its way from the past to the present and covers the active involvement of Their Majesties and the people (interactive sessions). The meaningful deliberations in the Drafting Committee and the desire of one and all to carve out a document, which will be a legacy for the people, to enrich their lives and usher in an era of Gross National Happiness as earnestly desired by Their Majesties. Seldom has it happened in world history that the Monarch suo moto gives to his people an enduring gift to protect them, ensure sustainability to them and the nation and guide them to happiness and prosperity. His Majesty who sincerely and genuinely seeks the happiness of his people is the architect and creator of the Constitution. The former Prime Minister of India, the late Mrs. Indira Gandhi said “the richest legacy of His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck is his worthy son and successor, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck in whose hands now rests the destiny of Bhutan”.1 How prophetic were her thoughts! The Constitution is a monument of His Majesty’s vision for his people to protect and preserve their destiny. The French Statesman Turgot said, “The people are the hope of the human race.”2 Indeed, the people of Bhutan are the pillars of the survival of democracy and the preservation of its Constitution. His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck and His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in devolving power on the people have reposed great trust in the people, so they can realize that constitutional democracy is not so much the end, but the manner in which the people seek that end. 1 Lham Dorji, Wangchuck Dynasty: 100 years of Enlightened Monarchy in Bhutan, 2008, p.83. 2 David Gordon (ed.), The Turgot Collections, 2011, p.504. 1 It must be said that the preservation of democracy ultimately depends on the will of the people, their sagacity and their vigilance. As aptly said, “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” and it is this vigilance of the people of Bhutan which will preserve the letter and spirit and indeed the sanctity of the Constitution of Bhutan. I trust the book will guide the people to understand the Constitution better and help them to play a constructive role in the destiny of Bhutan. In all humility, I dedicate this book to Their Majesties and the people of Bhutan 2 Making of the Constitution The Constitution is the Supreme Law of a State, which defines the relationship of different entities within a State entailing their powers and responsibilities. It is a document expressed in a simple language, which the ordinary people can understand. It responds to changing and unknown situations. It is an organic law, superior to other laws. It is the mother of all laws with an ever expanding family of laws that keep the nation and its people’s behaviour within the bounds of the Constitution’s philosophy. It has a philosophical basis of internal freedom with external symbiotic existence. Buddhist ethics is founded partly on the notion of social concern and partly on the notion of the perfectibility of the individual. The Constitution will avert the tyranical laws that will subvert the basic foundation of democracy. Therefore, a Constitution has both worldly and intellectual characteristics.3 The first Constitution in the world was written by Solon, an Athenian lawmaker and reformer, as a reaction to Draco’s harsh laws of 621 BC. His Constitution was adopted in 495 BC by the members, who were all of the Greek ruling class, a group based on wealth (plutocracy). Thereafter, the idea of “the Constitution” engulfed the world. Only 20 of the 190 countries with constitutions pre-date 1950. 4 Etymologically, the term Constitution comes from the Latin word constitutio, used for regulations and orders. We must know the latent power of that simple word that inspired peoples and nations across the World.5 Until 1907, Bhutan fiercely fought and sacrificed in upholding her sovereignty and identity. This ordeal came to an end, on Seventeenth of December Nineteen Hundred and Seven, when the first social contract was signed by the people through their officials and representatives with the First Druk Gyalpo6 Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck. It was in this historic “Genja”7 that our forefathers had pledged to serve and repose trust and confidence in the establishment of Monarchy. All members within the Bhutanese society agreed to the terms of the social contract by their popular choice. Since then, Bhutan enjoyed security, tranquility and happiness engendered by the dedicated and selfless leadership of our successive Kings. With the constant nurturing of democracy, many social, economic and political reforms have been introduced during the last one hundred years of Monarchy, the latest being the drafting of the Constitution. The seeds of Bhutan as a nation state were sown in 1907 with the election of a hereditary monarch akin to “The Great Chosen One (Mahasammatta),8 which bore fruits a century later in 2008 with the adoption of the Constitution. The Constitution of Bhutan is the culmination of more than a century of the democratic culture and traditions which existed in Bhutan since 1907. The bedrock of Bhutan as a nation right through the century has been that all men are created equal and that they are endowed with certain inalienable rights of life, liberty and happiness. The Constitution of Bhutan embodies these virtues and secures to the people these rights which are enforceable legally. The Bhutanese Constitution has references to legal, political, social, cultural and spiritual philosophies and principles. The legal and philosophical basis of the Constitution is 3Paper presented by Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye at the conference on Buddhist Jurisprudence in Sri Lanka, Constitution and Buddhism, 10th & 11th May, 2014. 4Paper presented by Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye at Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies, Phuentsholing, A Perspective on the philosophical basis of the the Bhutanese Constitution, 21st March 2014. 5 Ibid. 6 The king of Bhutan. 7 Refer Article 2 Section 3. 8 See, Francis Fukuyama, The Origins of Political Order, 2011. 3 the historic “genja” of 1907. The establishment and election of the Monarchy with inherent succession of responsibility through public choice had democratic imprimatur. It was a rational choice for collective action. In addition, the history of our nation state, the philosophical perspectives concerning the working of human relationships, the resulting social order, the past and existing political institutions, the sacrifices made by our forefathers, and the norms, values, principles and ideals espoused by and through the words and actions of our benevolent monarchs also formed the basis of our Constitution.9 The Monarchy With the establishment of monarchy and the enthronement of the first hereditary monarch, the Druk Gyalpo Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck (1907-1926), the temporal and secular administration was consolidated and unified in the person of His Majesty.10 He united the nation, secured stability, ensured domestic tranquility, and strengthened the friendship and co-operation with British India. Speaking at the installation of the Second Druk Gyalpo, Colonel Bailey said, “I cannot refrain from referring to my sorrow at the death of my old friend, His Highness Sir Ugyen Wangchuck. I had the honour of his acquaintance for 24 years. The benefits conferred on Bhutan by uniting the country and giving peace and prosperity to its inhabitants, both lamas and laymen.”11 The Second Druk Gyalpo Jigme Wangchuck (1926-52) continued His father’s centralization and modernization efforts, built more schools and consolidated sovereignty of Bhutan. He was conscious of the protocol and dignity of Bhutan. The Third Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1953–72) is revered by Bhutanese as the father of modern Bhutan. His Majesty modernized Bhutanese society by abolishing slavery, serfdom and the caste system. The prominent political reforms initiated by His Majesty include the establishment of the National Assembly (Tshogdu Chhenmo) or the Legislature in 1953, institution of the Royal Advisory Council (Lodre Tshodue) in 1965 and establishment of the High Court (Thrimkhang Gongma) in 1967, which separated the Judiciary and the Legislature from the Executive. His Majesty also enacted the Thrimzhung Chhenmo (The Supreme Law) in 1959 which inter alia, stands out as a very unique and important piece of legislation.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 141St Executive Director's Progress Update Report.Pdf (523.0Kb)
    The Executive Director’s Progress Update to the 141st Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S PROGRESS UPDATE REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE OF PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES 141st Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, 6 February 2018 SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS New UN Environment website launched Third Session of the United Nations Environment In October 2017, the new UN Environment website Assembly, 4-7 December 2017, Nairobi was launched: a highly responsive, mobile-friendly ▪ The Third Session of the United Nations digital presence that befits UN Environment's Environment Assembly with the theme ‘Towards a status as the world’s leading advocate and Pollution-Free Planet’, registered 4,921 participants, authority on the environment. It is the result of an from 157 countries, 65 of whom were ministers. 18-month journey that has included a thorough 35UN Agencies were represented, including 21 analysis of our old site, the development of a new international organisations. Over 310 accredited strategy for digital content, and user tests with civil society organisations attended, registering 450 citizens, policymakers (including members of our participants. Committee of Permanent Representatives), ▪ Almost 2.5 million pledges were signed by scientists, and journalists. individuals across the world, to take action to reduce pollution under the #BeatPollution United Nations Environment Programme Finance campaign. Initiative ▪ Leadership and multi-stakeholder dialogues UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative sessions were successful th celebrates its 25 year anniversary in the regions ▪ 11 Resolutions, 3 Decisions and a Ministerial with its stakeholders by hosting five regional Outcome Document were adopted. roundtables – in Buenos Aires for Latin America, in ▪ The Science-Policy and Business Forum attracted Johannesburg for Africa, in Geneva for Europe, in 1,900 registrants, 800 of whom drawn from the New York for North America and in Tokyo for Asia academia, technology centres, philanthropy, and the Pacific.
    [Show full text]
  • Geographical and Historical Background of Education in Bhutan
    Chapter 2 Geographical and Historical Background of Education in Bhutan Geographical Background There is a great debate regarding from where the name of „Bhutan‟ appears. In old Tibetan chronicles Bhutan was called Mon-Yul (Land of the Mon). Another theory explaining the origin of the name „Bhutan‟ is derived from Sanskrit „Bhotanta‟ where Tibet was referred to as „Bhota‟ and „anta‟ means end i. e. the geographical area at the end of Tibet.1 Another possible explanation again derived from Sanskrit could be Bhu-uttan standing for highland, which of course it is.2 Some scholars think that the name „Bhutan‟ has come from Bhota (Bod) which means Tibet and „tan‟, a corruption of stan as found in Indo-Persian names such as „Hindustan‟, „Baluchistan‟ and „Afganistan‟etc.3 Another explanation is that “It seems quite likely that the name „Bhutan‟ has come from the word „Bhotanam‟(Desah iti Sesah) i.e., the land of the Bhotas much the same way as the name „Iran‟ came from „Aryanam‟(Desah), Rajputana came from „Rajputanam‟, and „Gandoana‟ came from „Gandakanam‟. Thus literally „Bhutan‟ means the land of the „Bhotas‟-people speaking a Tibetan dialect.”4 But according to Bhutanese scholars like Lopen Nado and Lopen Pemala, Bhutan is called Lho Mon or land of the south i.e. south of Tibet.5 However, the Bhutanese themselves prefer to use the term Drukyul- the land of Thunder Dragon, a name originating from the word Druk meaning „thunder dragon‟, which in turn is derived from Drukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Bhutan presents a striking example of how the geographical setting of a country influences social, economic and political life of the people.
    [Show full text]
  • History, Culture and Tourism: a Comprehensive Study on Bhutan
    International Journal of Management and Applied Science, ISSN: 2394-7926 Volume-3, Issue-3, Mar.-2017 http://iraj.in HISTORY, CULTURE AND TOURISM: A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON BHUTAN ACHINTYA MAHAPATRA Senior Lecturer, Royal University of Bhutan (GCBS), At/Po: Gedu, Chhukha, Bhutan E-mail: [email protected] I. INTRODUCTION heritage as Bhutan. Its vertical landscape rises abruptly from the steamy lowland plains of Assam in More than a thousand years ago, the great Indian northeastern India to some of the world’s highest teacher Padmasambhava came to the remote part of peaks along Bhutan’s northern border with the the eastern Himalayas now known as Bhutan. Tibetan region of China. Its diverse ecosystems— Although Padmasambhava (or “Guru Rinpoche,” as representing most of the climatic zones found on the he is known in Bhutan) was not the first Buddhist planet—provide refuge to thousands of species of teacher to come to this part of the Himalayan region, birds, plants, insects, and mammals. Pristine habitats his presence proved to be a defining and lasting support a dazzling variety of orchids and rare plants, influence on the life and culture of Bhutan. Guru including the legendary blue poppy. There are rare Rinpoche was an important historical figure, highly birds and mammals such as yak, takin, snow respected for his compassion and wisdom in India leopards, blue sheep, red pandas, and black-necked and Tibet before he ever traveled to Bhutan. He first cranes in the highlands, as well as elephants, tigers, arrived in central Bhutan before moving west to the rhinos, and golden monkeys in the southern lowland Paro Valley sometime in the eighth century.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Client's Experience of Counseling in Bhutan
    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers Graduate School 2017 UNDERSTANDING THE CLIENT’S EXPERIENCE OF COUNSELING IN BHUTAN Michaela Maureen Sacra Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd Let us know how access to this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Sacra, Michaela Maureen, "UNDERSTANDING THE CLIENT’S EXPERIENCE OF COUNSELING IN BHUTAN" (2017). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 11000. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/11000 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. UNDERSTANDING THE CLIENT’S EXPERIENCE OF COUNSELING IN BHUTAN By MICHAELA MAUREEN SACRA Master of Arts in School Counseling, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, 2013 Bachelor of Science in Brain and Cognitive Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 2008 Dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate in Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision The University of Montana Missoula, MT May 2017 Approved by: Scott Whittenburg, Dean of The Graduate School Graduate School Kirsten W. Murray, Chair Counselor Education and Supervision Lindsey M. Nichols Counselor Education and Supervision Veronica I. Johnson Counselor Education and Supervision Judith C. Durham Counselor Education and Supervision Trent Atkins Curriculum and Instruction BHUTANESE CLIENT EXPERIENCES OF COUNSELING © COPYRIGHT by Michaela Maureen Sacra 2017 All Rights Reserved ii BHUTANESE CLIENT EXPERIENCES OF COUNSELING Sacra, Michaela, Ph.D., Spring 2017 Counselor Education and Supervision Abstract Chairperson: Kirsten W.
    [Show full text]
  • Continuing Customs of Negotiation and Contestation in Bhutan
    Continuing Customs of Negotiation and Contestation in Bhutan Adam Pain and Deki Pema∗∗ Introduction A concern for the maintenance of traditional values and customs in the processes of modernisation within Bhutan is evident in much of Bhutan’s official documentation. The fundamental importance given to the maintenance and fostering of Buddhism, its beliefs and associated institutions reflected in Bhutan’s rich culture, is constantly returned to and emphasized in commentary. Thus the establishment of the Special Commission for Cultural Affairs in 1985 “is seen as a reflection of the great importance placed upon the preservation of the country’s unique and distinct religious and cultural traditions and values, expressed in the customs, manners, language, dress, arts and crafts which collectively define Bhutan’s national identity” (Ministry of Planning, 1996, p.193). Equally the publication of a manual on Bhutanese Etiquette (Driglam Namzhag) by the National Library of Bhutan was hopeful that it “would serve as a significant foundation in the process of cultural preservation and cultural synthesis” (Publishers Forward, National Library, 1999). One strand of analysis that could be pursued concerns the very construct of “traditional” and what is constituted as “within” or “without” that tradition. As Hobsbawm (1983) reminds us with respect to the British Monarchy, much of the ceremonial associated with it is of recent origin. Equally national flags, national anthems and even the nation state, are, as Hobsbawm would have it, “ invented traditions” designed largely to “ inculcate certain values and norms of behaviour by repetition, which automatically implies continuity with ∗ Research Fellow, School of Development Studies, University of East Anglia & Planning Officer, Policy & Planning Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Thimphu 219 Continuing Customs of Negotiation and Contestation in Bhutan the past” (op.
    [Show full text]
  • Copy of OSGEY Yearbook
    J U L Y 2 0 1 7 - D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8 I M P A C T R E P O R T SEASON'S GREETINGS! SEASON'S GREETINGS! Here is what the Office of the Here is what the Office of the United Nations Secretary- Secretary-General's Envoy on General's Envoy on Youth Youth achieved since June 2017 achieved since July 2017 AND LOTS MORE! A letter from the United Nations Secretary General's Envoy on Youth Dear Friends, This first year and a half, has been truly magnificent! It’s been filled with challenges, but also with opportunities and support from those who believe in the power of young people - both within and outside the United Nations. In July 2017, I became the youngest member of the United Nations Senior Management Team. And one of the most memorable moments I lived in my life, was when I first met the Secretary-General as his Envoy on Youth. In that meeting, the Secretary-General asked me to "misbehave", to be the trigger of change in the United Nations System and beyond. I want to thank the Secretary-General, António Guterres, for placing his trust in me and in my small but powerful office for leading this ambitious task. This particular moment, inspired the greatest achievements of 2018. Launching Youth 2030, the first-ever United Nations Youth Strategy, brought to me unmeasurable emotion. The challenges of bringing together vastly different interests under a common roof are immense, but the importance and relevance young people should have in today’s world are even greater! Today we are facing a critical time in history, with the world seeing the largest generation of young people ever – 1.8 billion.
    [Show full text]
  • Translation Role of Bhutanese Media in Democracy: Case Study of the 2013 General Election
    Translation Role of Bhutanese Media in Democracy: Case Study of the 2013 General Election Keywords: Bhutan, Monarchy, Democracy, Information Society, Media Hitoshi FUJIWARA, Waseda University. Abstract The Kingdom of Bhutan, located in the Himalayas, closed its doors to foreign countries until the 1960s. After it reopened, Bhutan was a modern state for half a century. In 2008, the King of Bhutan decided to relinquish his power and democratize the country. It was an unprecedented event in history. On the other hand, there was no mass media in this tiny country until the 1990s. In 1999, the King lifted the ban on information technology such as television and the Internet. It was a rare case where television broadcasting and Internet services commenced at the same time. This study illustrates the history of democracy and the media in Bhutan and examines the correlation between them. Before commencing with such an examination, the theoretical stream of the relationship between democracy and the media in modern history should be reviewed. The primary section of this paper comprises field research and analysis regarding the National Assembly election of Bhutan in 2013, as a case study of the practice of democracy. The research questions are as follows: ‘What was the role of Bhutanese media in this election?’; ‘What kind of information led Bhutanese voters to decision making?’ In conclusion, the theoretical model and the Bhutanese practical model of the relationship between the government, media, and citizens are compared. This comparison shows the progress of democracy and the role of the media in modern-day Bhutan. 16 Journal of Socio-Informatics Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • The Next Generation Bhutan Foundation Annual Report 2016
    The Next Generation Bhutan Foundation Annual Report 2016 Our nation’s vision can only be fulfilled if the scope of our dreams and aspirations are matched by the reality of our commitment to nurturing our future citizens. —His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Table of Contents 4 A time to invest in the Future: Letters from our Co-Chairs and President 8 Youth citizen scientists research how environment responds to climate change 10 Tiger, tiger, burning bright! 13 How solving a community problem can protect snow leopards 15 Bhutan’s history, my history: A student explains the importance of cultural heritage 16 Teaching the next generation of health-care workers 18 Young medical professionals take health care to mountains, glaciers, and beyond 21 Specialized training means better services for children with disabilities 23 How simple agricultural innovation can provide hope 24 How the young and old bring a community back to life 26 Civil society organizations play important role in youth participation 29 Our Partners 30 Bhutan Foundation Grants Fiscal Year 2016 34 Financial Overview 36 Ways to Give 38 Our Team Table of Contents 4 A time to invest in the Future: Letters from our Co-Chairs and President 8 Youth citizen scientists research how environment responds to climate change 10 Tiger, tiger, burning bright! 13 How solving a community problem can protect snow leopards 15 Bhutan’s history, my history: A student explains the importance of cultural heritage 16 Teaching the next generation of health-care workers 18 Young medical professionals take health care to mountains, glaciers, and beyond 21 Specialized training means better services for children with disabilities 23 How simple agricultural innovation can provide hope 24 How the young and old bring a community back to life 26 Civil society organizations play important role in youth participation 29 Our Partners 30 Bhutan Foundation Grants Fiscal Year 2016 34 Financial Overview 36 Ways to Give 38 Our Team A Time to Invest .
    [Show full text]
  • Oral Construction of Exile Life and Times of Kunkhyen Longchen Rabjam in Bumthang*
    Oral Construction of Exile Life and Times of Kunkhyen Longchen Rabjam in Bumthang* Dorji Penjore" Background Common people who have been often left out of monastic and modern education systems have their own rich literary traditions which serve similar socio-cultural, education and entertainment functions. Bhutanese oral literary genres like srung (folktale), glu gzhas (folksong), gab tshig (riddle), dpe gtam (proverb, saying, maxim, and adage), dgod bra (joke), gtam rgyud (legend, fable, tale), bio ze (ballad) are some ofthe rich oral traditions. Modern education was introduced only in the late 1950s, and before that the monastic education system, which provided Buddhist education, was accessible only to a few privileged families. Women were excluded, with exception of a few nuns. But folk composition, narration, acquisition, memorization, and the daily use of indigenous knowledge through oral mediums have been a continuous process. It is the today's equivalent of universal education. Children who could not avail either monastic or modern education for various reasons have always resorted to the traditional education system. This paper attempts to construct the exile life and times of Kunkhyen Longchen Rabjam in Bhutan through use our rich oral tradition (kha rgyun rtsom rig) and what people on the This paper, presented in the Fifth Colloquium on Tangible and Intangible Culture, National Museum of Bhutan, February 2005, is based on oral information provided by 73-year-old Meme Ngonjungla alias Sonam Tshering of Samling village. It was recorded from 5-7 November 2004 in Tharpaling and Samling. There may be different oral versions. Where available, I have referred some written sources to crosscheck oral sources.
    [Show full text]
  • The Kingdom of Bhutan
    Updated March 23, 2020 The Kingdom of Bhutan Background were best served by elected leaders. The first election went The Kingdom of Bhutan, also known as the Land of the smoothly in 2008, and the second, in 2013, brought a Thunder Dragon, is a small, landlocked Himalayan country situated between India and China. The mountainous Figure 1.Bhutan in Brief kingdom is about half the size of Indiana, with an estimated population of 782,000, approximately 115,000 of them in and around the capital city, Thimphu. Bhutan’s economy has grown primarily as a result of hydropower, agriculture, and forestry development. The United States has no significant trade relations with Bhutan, and its foreign aid mission and bilateral consular affairs are handled by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan visited Bhutan in August, 2019. Bhutan has participated in a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) regional program for South Asia directed at developing power infrastructure, and it has implemented programs intended to help mitigate some of the effects of climate change. With 70% forest cover and extensive hydropower, Bhutan is a carbon negative country. The Constitution, Elections, and the King The constitution of Bhutan establishes three branches of Source: CIA World Factbook, Economist Intelligence Unit, Media government: legislative, executive, and judicial. The bicameral legislature, or Chi Tshog, includes the National Assembly (Tshogdu), with 47 elected representatives, and peaceful transition of power in which the opposition the National Council (Gyelyong Tshongde), with 25 People’s Democratic Party won 32 of the 42 elected members, 5 of which are selected by the king.
    [Show full text]
  • AFS 2016-17 [Eng]
    ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS of the ROYAL GOVERNMENT OF BHUTAN for the YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2017 Department of Public Accounts Ministry of Finance ii Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................... 1 2. BASIS FOR PREPARATION .............................................................................. 1 3. FISCAL PERFORMANCE .................................................................................. 1 4. RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ............................................................................ 3 5. GOVERNMENT RECEIPTS BY SOURCES .................................................... 4 5.1 DOMESTIC REVENUE ............................................................................... 5 5.2 EXTERNAL GRANTS ................................................................................. 6 5.3 BORROWINGS EXTERNAL BORROWINGS .......................................... 8 5.4 RECOVERY OF LOANS ........................................................................... 10 5.5 OTHER RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS .................................................... 11 6. OPERATIONAL RESULTS .............................................................................. 12 6.1 GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE............................................................. 12 7. BUDGET UTILISATION .................................................................................. 25 7.1 UTILIZATION OF CAPITAL BUDGET................................................... 25 8. ACHIEVEMENT OF FISCAL
    [Show full text]
  • DRUK Journal – Democracy in Bhutan – Spring 2018
    Spring 2018 Volume 4, Issue 1 The Druk Journal འབྲུག་୲་䝴ས་䝺བ། ©2018 by The Druk Journal All rights reserved The views expressed in this publication are those of the contributors and not necessarily of The Druk Journal. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording, or otherwise, without permission from the publisher. ISSN 2411-6726 This publication is supported by DIPD and Open Society Foundations A Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy Publication PO Box 1662, Thimphu, Bhutan www.bcmd.bt/www.drukjournal.bt Printed at Kuensel Corporation Ltd., Thimphu, Bhutan Dzongkha title calligraphy: Yonten Phuntsho Follow us on Facebook and Twitter འབྲུག་୲་དམངས་གཙོ荲་宱་譲མ། Democratisation of Bhutan www.drukjournal.bt The Druk Journal འབྲུག་୲་䝴ས་䝺བ། Contents Introduction 1 Editorial 2 DEMOCRACY IN BHUTAN Political Parties in the 21st Century Bjørn Førde 3 Democracy in Bhutan Dr Brian C. Shaw 14 DEMOCRACY DECENTRALISed Dhar from the Throne : an Honour and a Responsibility Kinley Dorji, Tashi Pem 24 The Micro Effect of Democratisation in Rural Bhutan Tshering Eudon 28 The Thromde Elections – an Inadequate Constituency? Ugyen Penjore 38 POLITicS OF DEMOCRACY Socio-economic Status and Electoral Participation in Bhutan Kinley 46 National Interest Versus Party Interest: What Former Chimis Think of Parliamentary Discussions Tashi Dema 59 The Bhutanese Politicians Kesang Dema 66 Youth and Politics in an Evolving Democracy Siok Sian
    [Show full text]