Bhutan, which is famous for its "gross national happiness", is preparing for its first parliamentary elections, ending over a century of royal rule.
A Step towards Democratisation
The road toward the historic transition was paved in December 2006 when then-King Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne to his son and promised to usher in democracy. The son, Jigme Keshar Namgyal Wangchuck, will remain the head of state but the National Assembly will be able to remove him with a two-thirds majority.
The people of this tiny kingdom, perched high in the Himalayas between India and Tibet, hope they can have the best of both worlds: retaining their Buddhist traditions but adopting modern technology and democracy at the same time. But will it work?
What is Democracy?
The dominant western culture has always urged developing countries to become democratised, and liberals argue that democracy would bring peace and legitimacy. Let us step back and look at a wider picture.
The underlying value of democracy is that people are the “boss” and they have the freedom to choose the leader of the country. Democratic system is a means to ensure the ruler to have a “correct” mindset that he is elected to lead and to serve the people. It is a way to ensure the people would have the right to get rid of the ruler when the ruler’s mindset is discovered to be “polluted”.
However, we have to be aware of the causal linkage between democracy and people’s satisfaction of the ruler. Bhutan is a good example. "Everyone is very sad to see the king stand down," 42-year-old businessman Kinley Penjor told Reuters news agency. Whether a country can be developed peacefully does not necessary depend on the system, it depends on the ruler.
The Power of Television
It is suggested that sustainable development, environmental protection, and the preservation of Bhutan's unique culture - the ingredients go to make up gross national happiness.
On the other hand, it is undeniable that the young Bhutanese in the capital are being influenced by the western culture through television. They have learned rapidly what life is like in other countries. Sangay Kandu, who is 18 and in his final year at school, said television has made a big impact. "We see all the commercials on TV and of course it's tempting to say we want to have all the latest products."
The vice-principal at Yangchengphug High School, Pema Wangdi, says modernisation has brought huge benefits to Bhutan - many of her students, she says, are much happier than their parents were at their age. But some are also dissatisfied when they compare their lives with those they see portrayed on TV.
Remarks
It is not a critique on democracy or globalisation or consumerism. Instead, it is a self-reflection time.
When we visit developing countries, especially the village, what attitudes should we have? Would we, volunteers, bring a false hope to the children in the village? Is that we can only choose “better living standard” or “happiness” and cannot have both?
A Step towards Democratisation
The road toward the historic transition was paved in December 2006 when then-King Jigme Singye Wangchuck abdicated the throne to his son and promised to usher in democracy. The son, Jigme Keshar Namgyal Wangchuck, will remain the head of state but the National Assembly will be able to remove him with a two-thirds majority.
The people of this tiny kingdom, perched high in the Himalayas between India and Tibet, hope they can have the best of both worlds: retaining their Buddhist traditions but adopting modern technology and democracy at the same time. But will it work?
What is Democracy?
The dominant western culture has always urged developing countries to become democratised, and liberals argue that democracy would bring peace and legitimacy. Let us step back and look at a wider picture.
The underlying value of democracy is that people are the “boss” and they have the freedom to choose the leader of the country. Democratic system is a means to ensure the ruler to have a “correct” mindset that he is elected to lead and to serve the people. It is a way to ensure the people would have the right to get rid of the ruler when the ruler’s mindset is discovered to be “polluted”.
However, we have to be aware of the causal linkage between democracy and people’s satisfaction of the ruler. Bhutan is a good example. "Everyone is very sad to see the king stand down," 42-year-old businessman Kinley Penjor told Reuters news agency. Whether a country can be developed peacefully does not necessary depend on the system, it depends on the ruler.
The Power of Television
It is suggested that sustainable development, environmental protection, and the preservation of Bhutan's unique culture - the ingredients go to make up gross national happiness.
On the other hand, it is undeniable that the young Bhutanese in the capital are being influenced by the western culture through television. They have learned rapidly what life is like in other countries. Sangay Kandu, who is 18 and in his final year at school, said television has made a big impact. "We see all the commercials on TV and of course it's tempting to say we want to have all the latest products."
The vice-principal at Yangchengphug High School, Pema Wangdi, says modernisation has brought huge benefits to Bhutan - many of her students, she says, are much happier than their parents were at their age. But some are also dissatisfied when they compare their lives with those they see portrayed on TV.
Remarks
It is not a critique on democracy or globalisation or consumerism. Instead, it is a self-reflection time.
When we visit developing countries, especially the village, what attitudes should we have? Would we, volunteers, bring a false hope to the children in the village? Is that we can only choose “better living standard” or “happiness” and cannot have both?
1 comment:
of cos globalization and democracy hv their shortfalls. whether they can improve the life of ppl, it depends on how ppl utilize them n a considerable time is needed to amend continuously to make them a better tools for peace...
Rachel
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