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11. Does GNH Determine Contextual QoL? A Case of Thimphu Urban

Author:
Gonpo Tenzin
Publication Date:
03-2022
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Bhutan Studies
Institution:
Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
Abstract:
The empirical assessment of happiness or life satisfaction is emerging as a key research area across the world. Studies in this area, however, are pursued mostly by determining generalized Quality of Life (QoL) and fails to reflect contextual and place-based QoL. This study aims to fill this gap by examining how placed-based attributes could determine QoL by taking the case of Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Subsuming the attributes of Gross National Happiness (GNH) the study determines QoL of Thimphu for the first time. The study applies empirical QoL model and employs both qualitative and quantitative approach, and it also considers wide range of literature reviews. The findings reveal that both GNH and most QoL cases are multidimensional in approach and bears high correlation between the attributes. There is inherent commonness and similar patterns between the two. Converging the findings from recent GNH survey 2015 and this QoL assessment, the analysis demonstrated that there is correlation close to R2 = 0.91 and the line of best fit at y=01236x+1.7333. The significance of the findings confirm that the QoL mechanism would be efficient, effective and realistic if it is place-based and contextual in approach, but not undermining dynamism in change around. The findings of the QoL assessment also recommends set of significant propositions to address the dispossession of QoL. The policy review, program alignment and innovative infrastructural integration in education, psychology and community vitality domains of QoL are underscored as main recommendations from the study.
Topic:
Quality of Life, Well-Being, Life Satisfaction, and Gross National Happiness (GNH)
Political Geography:
South Asia and Bhutan

12. Inequality beyond GDP: A Long View

Author:
Leandro Prados de la Escosura
Publication Date:
09-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The Cato Institute
Abstract:
In the past century and a half, substantial gains in wellbeing have been achieved across the board. This can be observed for the main dimensions of well‐​being: health, education, political voice, civil liberties, personal security, and material well‐​being. However, in the study of international well‐​being and its distribution, the focus remains on income. My research addresses multidimensional well‐​being and raises some questions. How have the gains from well‐​being dimensions been distributed? Do relative and absolute inequality move together? What drives relative inequality? Which parts of the distribution achieved larger gains over time in relative and absolute terms?
Topic:
GDP, Inequality, Economic Policy, and Well-Being
Political Geography:
Global Focus

13. Political Economy of the Environment: A Look Back and Ahead

Author:
James K. Boyce
Publication Date:
06-2020
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), University of Massachusetts Amherst
Abstract:
The political economy of the environment aims to deepen our understanding of the interplay among the economy, the environment, and human well-being. In contrast to neoclassical environmental economics, it pays attention not only to the net magnitude of costs and benefits but also to their distribution. In the realm of positive analysis – descriptions of how the world works – this means exploring the multiple ways in which the distribution of wealth and power affects environmental outcomes. In the realm of normative analysis – prescriptions for how the world should work – political economists advocate a range of criteria including not only cost effectiveness but also safety, sustainability, and environmental justice.
Topic:
Environment, Political Economy, Sustainability, and Well-Being
Political Geography:
Global Focus

14. Traditional and Modern Understandings of Mental Illness in Bhutan: Preserving the Benefits of Each to Support Gross National Happiness

Author:
Joseph D. Calabrese and Chencho Dorji
Publication Date:
09-2015
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Bhutan Studies
Institution:
Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
Abstract:
For most non-Bhutanese who are aware of the country, Bhutan is associated with happiness. Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness policy, which implies a critique of onesided economics-dominated development goals, has become well known around the world. For example, the United Nations recently adopted Resolution 65/309, initiated by Bhutan, to include measures of happiness and well-being as indicators of development (United Nations, 2011) and the government in the UK has also expressed an interest in “happiness economics” (Layard, 2006). However, even in Bhutan, there are people who, through no fault of their own, or of their social system, are at a special risk for unhappiness. These are the Bhutanese who suffer from mental illnesses.
Topic:
Development, Mental Health, Well-Being, and Gross National Happiness (GNH)
Political Geography:
South Asia and Bhutan

15. Traditional and Modern Understandings of Mental Illness in Bhutan: Preserving the Benefits of Each to Support Gross National Happiness

Author:
Joseph D. Calabrese and Chencho Dorji
Publication Date:
03-2014
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Bhutan Studies
Institution:
Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
Abstract:
For most non-Bhutanese who are aware of the country, Bhutan is associated with happiness. Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness policy, which implies a critique of onesided economics-dominated development goals, has become well known around the world. For example, the United Nations recently adopted Resolution 65/309, initiated by Bhutan, to include measures of happiness and well-being as indicators of development (United Nations, 2011) and the government in the UK has also expressed an interest in “happiness economics” (Layard, 2006). However, even in Bhutan, there are people who, through no fault of their own, or of their social system, are at a special risk for unhappiness. These are the Bhutanese who suffer from mental illnesses.
Topic:
Poverty, Mental Health, Well-Being, and Gross National Happiness (GNH)
Political Geography:
South Asia and Bhutan

16. Under the Influence of Buddhism: The Psychological Wellbeing Indicators of GNH

Author:
Tashi Wangmo and John Valk
Publication Date:
03-2012
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Bhutan Studies
Institution:
Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)
Abstract:
Measuring human well-being is important in determining whether people’s lives improve or worsen over time. Today many countries focus on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a basis to measure economic well-being, but focus on economic growth fails to capture the overall well-being of the people (Kusago 2007; Stiglitz, Sen, and Fitoussi, 2009). Alternative measurements such as Genuine Progress Index (GPI) and Human Development Index (HDI) have been introduced to measure the non-economic aspect of well-being. GPI and HDI include important factors that contribute to healthy living but are still calculated based on monetary values (Hargen 2002; Kusago 2007). Gross National Happiness (GNH) is the central development philosophy of Bhutan (Planning Commission 1999). This unique philosophy aims at maximising well-being and minimising suffering by balancing economic needs with spiritual and emotional needs. Bhutan’s fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, coined the term “Gross National Happiness” in the late 1980s arguing that “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product” (as cited by Ura 2008, para.1). His vision was to create a GNH society: “an enlightened society in which happiness and wellbeing of all people and sentient beings is the ultimate purpose of governance” (as cited by Ura 2008, para.2).GNH is premised on the notion that happiness pursued and realised within the context of the greater good of society offers the best possibility for the sustained happiness of the individual. Yet, society as a whole cannot achieve happiness if individuals compete irresponsibly for it. To this end, GNH recognises that happiness ought to be realised as a collective goal; it cannot be left as an individual goal: “GNH stresses collective happiness to be addressed directly through public policies in which happiness is an explicit criterion in projects and programmes” (Thinley 2005, p.7). If a government’s policy framework and its goals are adverse to happiness, happiness will fail as a collective goal (Ura 2008). In the GNH context, a government concerned with the happiness of its citizens must create an enabling environment for people to achieve happiness. The Bhutan-Vision 2020 strongly reaffirms the notion of Gross National Happiness as the central development concept for the country.
Topic:
Development, Buddhism, Well-Being, and Gross National Happiness (GNH)
Political Geography:
South Asia and Bhutan