Bhutan’s Journey to Economic Transformation

Winter Edition , December 6th, 2018 Path of Economic Progress in Bhutan: Retrospection Our development philosophy has never considered economic growth as an end in itself, nor has it been viewed as a panacea for any ills that may threaten the holistic socio-economic progress of the country and well-being of its people. It is nevertheless...

What is a GNH Economy?

Winter Edition , December 6th, 2018 A group of people found themselves at the intersection of many paths, deep in a valley named “Economy”. After a night spent in pursuit of delights other than the knowledge that derived from study, or the Enlightenment that may result from meditation, they looked around and saw many signs...

Editorial: Are We Talking GNH and Doing GDP?

Winter Edition , December 6th, 2018 With the theme “Transforming the Bhutanese Economy” this issue of The Druk Journal will be a comprehensive analysis of Bhutan’s economic aspirations, policies, and realities. In the absence of adequate thinking and discourse in the formulation of our national economic vision we will take a macro economics perspective to...

Some Impact of Democratic Politics in Bhutan

Spring Edition , March 20th, 2018 Democratic transition is usually a process of successive developments. Such was the case in Bhutan. Taking into account the context – the point from which it took off and the environment in which it took shape – where every initiative to modernise the country has emanated from the Kings....

How the Bhutanese Vote in Elections: a Broad Mindscape of the Bhutanese Voter

Spring Edition , March 20th, 2018 The Family Factor As the 2008 general election loomed, a family of six in Baynangra village in Pemagatshel was forced to flee their home to a nearby cowshed. Seventyyear-old Lungten and his 66-year-old wife Phurpa had to take shelter in the cowshed, along with their four children, when their...

Bhutanese Women in Politics: Myths and Realities

Spring Edition , March 20th, 2018 Policy and Legal Framework (At National and International Level) Bhutan has given due importance to increasing women’s participation in development activities, elected offices and decision-making positions. A review of the five-year plans indicate that, while a gender-neutral position had been maintained by the Government in its policies, plans and...

Democracy in Bhutan

Spring Edition , March 20th, 2018 Too much has been written about democracy. Still, many in Bhutan (both before and after 2008) crave a closer understanding – an education – of the relevance of this new approach to public policy. In this life, and in this age, we need to hone our abilities for change...

Editorial

Spring Edition , March 20th, 2018 Bhutan is approaching its third general election under the Constitution, which was adopted to establish a Democractic Constitutional Monarchy. The election being scheduled for late 2018, the Spring 2018 issue of The Druk Journal aims to contribute critically and constructively both to the 2018 elections and to the process...

Youth and Politics in an Evolving Democracy

Spring Edition , March 20th, 2018 The Implications of Politicising Youth Come November this year, an estimated 432,000 Bhutanese citizens are eligible to go to the polls to elect the party which will form the government for the next five years. It is difficult to gauge how many will actually do so but the question...

Political Parties in the 21st Century

Spring Edition , March 20th, 2018 How to Address the Challenges? Once upon a time My mother was born into a social democratic family, just like her father. She had been a party member since she was old enough to vote, and she voted for the party in every election. I once asked her if...