11. Exploring Bhutan’s ‘Natural Democracy’: In Search of an Alternative View of Democracy
- Author:
- Katsu Masaki
- Publication Date:
- 03-2013
- Content Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal:
- Journal of Bhutan Studies
- Institution:
- Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
- Abstract:
- This paper seeks to make an alternative translation/ interpretation of Bhutan’s democracy, in place of the mainstream view that the country has recently made a decisive transition toward democracy. It calls our attention to the country’s time-honored ‘natural democracy,’ which rests on monarchical authority and cohesive rural communities. Both of them represent vernacular forms of freedom and equality, contrary to their widely held image as being averse to democracy. This research was made possible by funding from the Japanese Government's Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research.
- Topic:
- Government, Politics, Democracy, Monarchy, and Authority
- Political Geography:
- South Asia and Bhutan