Exploring the Powerful Concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH)
Gross National Happiness (GNH) is an innovative measure of economic happiness and moral progress pioneered by the King of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan in the 1970s. Departing from traditional economic metrics like the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), GNH combines a multitude of quality-of-life factors to gauge prosperity.
The foundation of GNH traces back to Bhutan’s first legal code in 1729, which stated, “if the government cannot create happiness for its people, there is no purpose for the government.” This principle laid the groundwork for redefining national success in terms far richer than mere financial output.
Understanding Gross National Happiness (GNH)
In a pivotal 1972 interview, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck pronounced, “gross national happiness is more important than gross national product.” This revolutionary idea was reinforced by Bhutanese scholars who refined GNH into a more scientific measure of the nation’s economic and moral development.
The Four Pillars of GNH
- Good Governance: Creating transparent, accountable institutions that work in the best interest of the people.
- Sustainable Development: Pursuing economic growth while preserving the environment and well-being of future generations.
- Cultural Preservation and Promotion: Maintaining Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage and letting it thrive alongside modern influences.
- Environmental Conservation: Protecting the pristine natural beauty and resources of Bhutan against exploitation and degradation.
GNH in Public Policy
In 1998, Bhutan established the Center for Bhutan Studies and Gross National Happiness (CBSGNH) to rigorously research and develop indicators and indexes to be integrated into public policy. The government then uses these metrics to inform decision-making, staying true to the pillars of GNH when crafting laws and regulations.
The Nine Domains of GNH
The happiness derived from GNH manifests across nine key domains:
- Psychological Well-being
- Standard of Living
- Good Governance
- Health
- Community Vitality
- Cultural Diversity
- Time Use
- Ecological Resilience
Compassionate Assessment: The 2012 GNH Index Report
Published in 2012, the CBSGNH’s official report unveiled comprehensive data based on pre-surveys from 2006 and 2008, followed by a formal survey in 2010. The report assessed national performance across the nine GNH domains, where each domain bears equal weight, while their various indicators are scaled according to specific subjective factors.
GNH’s extensive coverage of different happiness components acknowledges that true happiness is multifaceted. In Bhutan, personal contentment is closely tied to the happiness of others, establishing happiness as a collective but internally rooted experience. The nine-domain structure under GNH aims to achieve a balance in this multidimensional quest for contentment.
By ensuring every decision promotes happiness and well-being, Bhutan’s unique approach holds valuable lessons for nations looking for sustainable and inclusive growth models.
Related Terms: Gross Domestic Product, Happiness Economics, Sustainable Development, Moral Progress.
References
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs Royal Government of Bhutan. “Gross National Happiness”.
- Mousumi Roy. “Sustainable Development Strategies Engineering, Culture and Economics”. Page 219. Elsevier Science. 2020.
- The Financial Times. “Why Happiness Is Easy to Venerate and Hard to Generate”.
- Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies. “CBS&GNH”.
- University of Oxford. “An Extensive Analysis of GNH Index”.
- University of Oxford. “Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Index”.
