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1. Characteristics and Determinants of International Migration: The Recent Phenomenon of Migration of Bhutanese to International Destinations

Author:
Tobden Tobden, Lhawang Ugyel, and Tashi Dorjee
Publication Date:
12-2023
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Bhutan Studies
Institution:
Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
Abstract:
The trend in international migration has always been increasing. However, in Bhutan, the rising number of international migrants, which has surged in recent years, is a new phenomenon. This paper explores the recent development of international migration of Bhutanese to countries, such as India, Australia, USA and countries in Middle-East Asia. It examines the characteristics of Bhutanese international migrants. The study also analyses the underlying reasons that drives international migration in Bhutan. As such, this study is one of the first comprehensive investigations on international migration of Bhutanese that leverages data from the two major Population and Housing Censuses conducted in the country thus far. In doing so, this paper seeks to provide an insight into the impact of international migration on the demographic structure and the policies that influence such migration.
Topic:
Development, Migration, Urbanization, Rural, Push Factor, and Pull Factor
Political Geography:
South Asia and Bhutan

2. No Sanctuary: China’s New Territorial Dispute with Bhutan

Author:
Felix Chang
Publication Date:
07-2020
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI)
Abstract:
Resting at the eastern end of Bhutan is the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary. Spanning some 750 square kilometers, it is spread out across a densely forested area of the Himalayan Mountains. The sanctuary is far better known for its unique flora and fauna (including the red panda and, reputedly, the fabled yeti) than its geographic boundaries. But the latter is precisely what brought it to international attention in June 2020. Early that month, Bhutan sought a grant for the sanctuary from a global environmental organization that funds sustainable development projects. Unexpectedly, China’s representatives to that organization opposed the grant. Their reason: China considers the sanctuary to be “disputed territory.”
Topic:
Development, Environment, Territorial Disputes, and History
Political Geography:
China, Asia, and Bhutan

3. The Eight Manifestations of GNH: Multiple Meanings of a Development Alternative

Author:
Ritu Verma
Publication Date:
05-2020
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Bhutan Studies
Institution:
Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
Abstract:
Despite growing recognition that GDP measures everything except deeper and meaningful aspects of life, conventional development approaches continue to centrally measure poverty, implement policy and operationalize practice in narrow economic and technical terms, without adequate attention paid to the holistic and interconnected nature of development as lived and experienced by those intended as its beneficiaries. The Royal Kingdom of Bhutan represents a rare context for the study and operationalization of a living development alternative that challenges GDP-metrics. The nation is best known for the articulation and practice of an innovative alternative and sustainable development path, exemplified in Gross National Happiness (GNH). In the contemporary context, it continues to be at the forefront of developing and advancing GNH as a unique and holistic development approach that values happiness and wellbeing of people and sentient beings. However, GNH is prone to popular misunderstandings of its concept, principles and manifestations within Bhutan, and subject to superficial and problematic scholarly analysis, hurried comprehension and limited due diligence in the international context. This paper makes a modest but concerted effort to respond to the dilemmas and challenges of understanding facing GNH by exploring its epistemological and historical foundations, and disentangling multiple meanings manifested in eight different forms. In doing so, it aims to contribute greater clarity to a growing body of multifarious writings on the subject, and more specifically, to an emerging body of scholarly literature on GNH by shedding explanatory light to the way it is conceptualized, operationalized, practiced, understood, internalized, and continuously undergoing change as it is refined and deepened over time.
Topic:
Development, Economy, Sustainability, and Gross National Happiness (GNH)
Political Geography:
South Asia and Bhutan

4. The Belt and Road Initiative Still Afloat in South Asia

Author:
Sudha Ramachandran
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
China Brief
Institution:
The Jamestown Foundation
Abstract:
South Asian governments are becoming increasingly discontent with Belt and Road Initiative projects. In August, Pakistan’s new government expressed interest in reviewing the CPEC contracts that they perceive to be over-priced, unnecessary, or excessively in the favor of PRC companies (Dawn, September 11). Similar sentiments have been expressed by the new Maldivian government, which is reviewing BRI contracts signed during the rule of former President Abdulla Yameen (Economic Times, November 26). Such actions raise questions as to whether South Asian states might scale down or even cancel BRI projects.
Topic:
Development, International Trade and Finance, Treaties and Agreements, Infrastructure, and Soft Power
Political Geography:
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, South Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives

5. Power and Compliance in Rural Bhutanese Society

Author:
Fredrik Barth
Publication Date:
11-2018
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Bhutan Studies
Institution:
Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
Abstract:
I am very happy to have this opportunity to discuss some questions concerning social organization and the organization of agricultural labour in Bhutanese rural society. Bhutan is an independent country in the Eastern Himalayas, about the size of Switzerland, with an overwhelmingly Buddhist population of c. 600,000 persons. Having never been under any foreign administration, and despite recent modern developments, it has maintained a high degree of isolation through most of its history. It thus offers an opportunity to study a living case of a highly distinctive form of agrarian society.
Topic:
Development, Rural, Society, Compliance, and Power
Political Geography:
South Asia and Bhutan

6. Wikipedia as a Tool for GNH

Author:
Bunty Avieson
Publication Date:
11-2018
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Bhutan Studies
Institution:
Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
Abstract:
Wikipedia is a free platform for sharing knowledge that fits comfortably within Bhutan’s development framework of Gross National Happiness. The online encyclopaedia is a global project run by volunteers that aims to provide all the world’s knowledge, free to everyone. Its grand vision is to dissolve knowledge hierarchies previously determined by education, economics, culture and geography. While Bhutanese citizens are among the millions worldwide who use English Wikipedia every day as a general reference, Bhutanese attempts to publish about Bhutan have been less successful and pages about Bhutan are mostly written by foreigners. There is also a Dzongkha edition, which has limited pages that remain largely unvisited. The low level of contributions by Bhutanese is partly due to Wikipedia’s publishing protocols, which are confusing and can require training, but also the editing culture of the site often is discouraging for newcomers. This paper aims to suggest how Bhutan could benefit from Wikipedia and equally, how Wikipedia could benefit from Bhutan. Wikipedia offers a range of opportunities for education, tourism, language and culture. At the same time, being a digitally-advanced, strongly oral culture, Bhutan could help Wikipedia realise its ambitious aims. First, its citizens would bring a broader perspective, grounded in the kingdom’s unique worldview that is influenced by its orality, Mahayana Buddhism and Gross National Happiness. Second, both Wikipedia sites – English and Dzongkha - have audio capacities, which are underutilized. This is a wasted opportunity. The Bhutanese have well embraced modern digital technologies, such as WeChat and Facebook, adopting them for culturally specific purposes, and I propose that if key groups within the Bhutanese community were trained in the publishing protocols of Wikipedia, over time they would extend Wikipedia’s use of the audio capabilities which would benefit the international community, as well as other oral cultures and differently abled peoples, including dyslexic and blind.
Topic:
Development, Internet, Information, Gross National Happiness (GNH), and Wikipedia
Political Geography:
South Asia and Bhutan

7. Interpreting the GNH Determinants From Health Policy Perspective: A Guide for Health Policy Makers

Author:
Gyambo Sithey, Jayendra Sharma, Tandi Dorji, Anne-Marie, and Mu Li
Publication Date:
03-2018
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Bhutan Studies
Institution:
Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
Abstract:
Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a developmental philosophy which aims to strike a balance between material and non-material values, prioritizing the happiness and well-being of all sentient beings. The objective of GNH is to achieve a holistic, sustainable and balanced form of development by considering a range of domains each of which makes a vital contribution to happiness. The domains are living standard, good governance, education, health, ecology diversity, community resilience, time use & balance and psychological well-being. The concept of GNH was introduced in 1972. Over the period of 45 years, two national GNH surveys (2010 and 2015) were conducted. GNH transitioned from developmental philosophy to policy formulation tool. The GNH Index, GNH domains, GNH indicators, GNH determinants and GNH Policy Screening Tool (GNH-PST) all assist in policy formulation and policy screening (Table 1).
Topic:
Development, Governance, Health Care Policy, and Gross National Happiness (GNH)
Political Geography:
South Asia and Bhutan

8. Factors Promoting Foreign Aid Dependence in South Asian Countries

Author:
Shazia Kousar and Salman Masood
Publication Date:
01-2017
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
South Asian Studies
Institution:
Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab
Abstract:
This study used panel data approach to investigate comprehensive set of determinant of foreign aid and extent to which these determinants, domestic saving, capital formation, human capital, government expenditure, military expenditure and trade deficit, can affect foreign aid dependence in south Asian countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This study used Error correction model to estimate the short run association between defined variables. The results indicate that capital formation, ,trade deficit, government budget deficit and military expenditure have positive and significant association with foreign aid in the long run while these determinant have positive but insignificant relationship with foreign aid in the short run except gross domestic capital formation (GDCF). However, domestic savings, human capital formation has negative and significant relationship with foreign aid in long run. The findings of the study help foreign aid policy makers, analysts, researchers and official donor agencies.
Topic:
Development, Economics, Foreign Aid, and Economic Growth
Political Geography:
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, South Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Punjab, and Bhutan

9. College Youth and the Prevalence of Responsible Sexual Relationships: A Mixed Mode Study of the Development, Challenges and Prospects of Youth Sexual Behaviour in the Colleges of the Royal University of Bhutan

Author:
Amina Gurung, Ugyen Wangchuk, Dechen Tshomo, and Tsering Y. Nidup
Publication Date:
06-2017
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Bhutan Studies
Institution:
Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
Abstract:
Bhutan’s development policy lays huge emphasis on health and education. However, rapidly growing urban culture and changing sexual trends have raised the HIV/AIDS potential in the country. With more than half of the country’s population (56%), under the age of 25, these have become disturbing issues of concern. In spite of such facts, research on sexual attitudes and behavior of the youth of the colleges of the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) is limited both in terms of scope and depth. Hence the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of responsible sexual behavior amongst the youth of the colleges of the RUB. The research explored the prevalence of responsible sexual behavior in all the eight existing colleges of the RUB. Survey using stratified random sampling and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were employed to collect comprehensive data on sexual activity and relationship. The sample size was 645 (545 for the survey and 100 Focus Group participants).
Topic:
Development, Youth, Sexuality, and Behavior
Political Geography:
South Asia and Bhutan

10. Export Price of Electricity in Bhutan: The Case of Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project

Author:
Sangay Chophel
Publication Date:
02-2016
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Bhutan Studies
Institution:
Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
Abstract:
There has been substantial cost escalation on the ongoing hydropower projects in Bhutan, exerting pressure on already ballooning national debt. This has raised concerns on whether the benefits of hydropower projects outweigh the costs and on the preciseness of its costing. Based on data available in the detailed project reports and the agreement signed between India and Bhutan, this paper examines the financial viability of Mangdechhu project by employing two different methods: cost-plus method and financial cost-benefit analysis. The results show that cost-plus method undervalues the total cost of the project. The impact of changes in several parameters and cost overrun on tariff is also analyzed in this paper.
Topic:
Development, Economy, Exports, Electricity, Energy, and Hydropower
Political Geography:
South Asia and Bhutan