scholarly journals Notes on Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness and its Measurement

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Eduardo Monaco
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Multidimensional Poverty ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Environmental Preservation ◽  
Gross National Happiness ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
National Happiness

Bhutan, a Himalayan landlocked country of just about 750,000 inhabitants, has since the 1980s adopted a unique, holistic approach to development governance commonly referred to as 'Gross National Happiness' (GNH), which aims at achieving equitable socio-economic progress in harmony with other fundamental 'pillars' such as environmental preservation, good governance, and protection of the local cultural identity. The strategy - inspired, above all, by solid Tantric Buddhist belief - significantly differentiates itself from the mainstream GDP-driven, output-maximizing paradigms by maintaining that truly sustainable development can only originate from acknowledging the equal dignity and crucial interdependence of various dimensions of both human and natural life. This paper, drafted in the month of December 2015, briefly analyzes GNH policy’s key tenets and achievements – more conspicuous in regards to democratic governance and environment than in terms of inclusive, multidimensional poverty reduction, as well as its recently devised measuring tool, the GNH Index, and the results of its latest surveys. Factors like the peculiar Buddhist culture that informs it, the relatively simple economic infrastructure at this early stage of development, as well as the limited size of the politically active, urbanized population, all make GNH per se a distinctively Bhutanese phenomenon. Nevertheless, the fundamental paradigm shift that GNH advocates has already resonated beyond the countries’ borders, reinforcing a growing trend across international development actors towards a more comprehensive, qualitative definition and measurement of societal development.

scholarly journals National progress, sustainability and higher goals: the case of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jigmi Y. Thinley ◽  
Janette Hartz-Karp
Keyword(s):  
Lived Experience ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Living Standard ◽  
Human Society ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Material Wealth ◽  
Gross National Happiness ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Shared Goal ◽  
National Happiness

Abstract Background The context of this study is the predominant global paradigm for measuring national progress, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which has resulted in an over-emphasis on production and consumption that in turn, is exhausting the planet’s capacity to sustain life. This study examines the potential for a new paradigm of development that can propel human society in a more meaningful, sustainable direction. Results Critiques of the GDP are overviewed, but the key critique is that if sustainability, human survival, is our key goal, then GDP, aiming at boundless material wealth, is driving us in the wrong direction. To drive a new sustainable, more meaningful way of life, we need an overarching paradigm with integrated, localized indicators that are internationally accepted as the measures of each nation’s progress. Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) Index exemplifies this. Based on the lived experience of a key GNH instigator, its nine domains are explained: Living standard, Health, Education, Ecological diversity and resilience, Cultural diversity and resilience, Community vitality, Time use, Psychological wellbeing, and Good governance. These have informed and been informed by the Sustainable Development Goals. It is outlined how the GNH Index guides development, allocates resources according to the targets set, measures people’s happiness, and measures progress over time and geography. Conclusion The economic paradigm underlying the GDP - that the purpose of life is to become rich - is enabling our unsustainability. To enable future sustainability, we need to reconceptualize our concept of national progress. Moreover, since sustainability is effectively a euphemism for survival, then surely, as intelligent, sensitive beings, shouldn’t we be pursuing a higher, shared goal? For the Bhutanese, this is ‘happiness’ - a paradigm that encompasses the pursuit of meaningful societal progress by balancing the physical with mental, the material with spiritual, within a safe and stable environment, with the purpose of realizing happiness. Though the Bhutanese do not claim to have reached a state of national happiness, Bhutan has maintained happiness as its overriding goal, with the tool’s philosophy, authority and accountability driving this in everyday life.

scholarly journals What Hampers Implementation of Integrated Landscape Approaches in Rural Landscapes?

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 99-115
Author(s):  
Dorith A. Vermunt ◽  
Pita A. Verweij ◽  
René W. Verburg
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Landscape Management ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Literature Study ◽  
Rural Landscapes ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Conflicting Objectives

Abstract Purpose of Review In rural areas, frameworks of integrated landscape approaches are increasingly being used to reconcile conflicting objectives of stakeholders and sectors, such as agriculture and conservation. In accommodating multiple land uses, social, economic, and environmental trade-offs need to be balanced. Different social processes underly integrated landscape approaches. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the barriers described in peer-reviewed case studies to better understand what hampers the implementation of integrated landscape approaches. To this purpose, we conducted a systematic literature study. We clustered the barriers into the following barriers groups: (1) participation problems, (2) interaction problems, (3) resource problems, and (4) institutional problems, and analyzed how these barriers hindered implementation of the following key landscape processes: planning and visioning, developing and implementing practices, establishing good governance, and monitoring and evaluation. Recent Findings We analyzed barriers described in 56 peer-reviewed papers that document 76 cases of integrated landscape approaches in 35 countries worldwide. Main stakeholder problems were related to absence of specific stakeholder groups, varying levels of engagement, or lack of stakeholder experience and skills. Interaction problems included a lack of communication, collaboration, or coordination, a lack of agreement due to different stakeholder visions, and power relations. Institutional problems were related to incompatible (national) policies and institutional structures hindering integration, and resource problems included limited availability of financial resources and a lack of data. These barriers hampered the implementation of the key processes needed to transition towards integrated landscape approaches in different ways. This paper provides an overview of the main barriers found for each landscape process. Summary Rural landscapes are often characterized by a variety of stakeholders and land use sectors, such as agriculture and natural resource conservation. Landscape approaches aim to integrate different goals such as conservation, production, and livelihoods simultaneously, but their implementation appears to be challenging. In this study, we take stock of the barriers described in the literature and analyze how different types of challenges related to stakeholder engagement, interaction between stakeholders, resources, and institutions hinder implementation of landscape approaches. According to this analysis, we demonstrate why particular problems pose challenges to the implementation of specific elements of landscape approaches. Few barriers were related to testing and implementing sustainable business practices since business stakeholders were often not involved. Most approaches were still in an early stage of development. The continuity of approaches is mostly not secured and calls for better institutionalization of landscape approaches. The set of identified barriers and their relations to key processes can be used as a diagnostic tool to enhance learning and improve the performance of landscape approaches in the transition towards integrated landscape management.

Gross National Happiness (GNH) as Guiding Principles in International Commercial Disputes Settlement: Appraising Appropriate Dispute Resolution for China–ASEAN Commerce

2021 ◽  
pp. 2150004
Author(s):  
Steve Ngo
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Dispute Resolution ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Resolution Method ◽  
International Commerce ◽  
Gross National Happiness ◽  
Social Perspectives ◽  
International Dispute ◽  
National Happiness ◽  
Guiding Principles

Commerce and trade between ASEAN and China continue to reach an unprecedented level in recent times, and the momentum is expected to continue due to increasing economic cooperation as well as trade activities between the countries. Commercial dispute resolution mechanisms such as arbitration and mediation are key in protecting international commerce as well as able to encourage further economic development. Nevertheless, key international dispute resolution methods such as arbitration are not without their problems and shortcomings. This paper will examine using Gross National Happiness (GNH) as possible guiding principles in the formulation of a holistic approach to current dispute resolution and the “Appropriate Dispute Resolution” method for ASEAN–China, while considering also the respective cultural and social perspectives.

The Application of UX Research in New Energy Vehicle Innovation

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Menghan TAO ◽  
Ning XIAO ◽  
Xingfu ZHAO ◽  
Wenbin LIU
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
The Other ◽  
Innovative Product ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
New Energy ◽  
New Energy Vehicle ◽  
The One ◽  
New Energy Vehicles ◽  
Degree Of Innovation

New energy vehicles(NEV) as a new thing for sustainable development, in China, on the one hand has faced the rapid expansion of the market; the other hand, for the new NEV users, the current NEVs cannot keep up with the degree of innovation. This paper demonstrates the reasons for the existence of this systematic challenge, and puts forward the method of UX research which is different from the traditional petrol vehicles research in the early stage of development, which studies from the user's essence level, to form the innovative product programs which meet the needs of users and being real attractive.

scholarly journals COVID-19 Response in Thailand and Its Implications on Future Preparedness

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1089
Author(s):  
Wijitbusaba Marome ◽  
Rajib Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Multilateral Cooperation ◽  
First Case ◽  
Multiple Dimensions ◽  
Economic And Social Impacts

Thailand has been affected by COVID-19, like other countries in the Asian region at an early stage, and the first case was reported as early as mid-January 2020. Thailand’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been guided by the “Integrated Plan for Multilateral Cooperation for Safety and Mitigation of COVID-19”. This paper analyses the health resources in the country and focuses on the response through community-level public health system and legislative measures. The paper draws some lessons on future preparedness, especially with respect to the four priorities of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. At the end, the paper puts some key learning for future preparedness. While Thailand’s response to COVID-19 has been effective in limiting the spread of the disease, it falls short at being able to address the multiple dimensions of the crisis such as the economic and social impacts. The socioeconomic sectors have been hardest hit, with significant impact on tourism sectors. Sociopolitical system also plays an important role in governance and decision-making for pandemic responses. The analysis suggests that one opportunity for enhancing resilience in Thailand is to strive for more multilevel governance that engages with various stakeholders and to support grassroots and community-level networks. The COVID-19 pandemic recovery is a chance to recover better while leaving no one behind. An inclusive long-term recovery plan for the various impacted countries needs to take a holistic approach to address existing gaps and work towards a sustainable society. Furthering the Health Emergency Disaster Risk Management (HEDRM) Framework may support a coordinated response across various linked sectors rather than straining one particular sector.

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