Bhutan Idea Of Gross National Happiness example essay topic

King Jigme Single Wangchuck:' I am more interested in Gross National Happiness than in Gross National Product. ' These words, proudly spoken by the ruler of the Kingdom of Bhutan, have become the mantra for a people who are living out a brave new social experiment: 'Can a spartan rural society join the high-tech world without surrendering its soul?' [1] Bhutan is an extraordinary place; seemingly untouched through the course of time. Resting in the heart of the Himalayas, it has remained in self-imposed detachment for centuries, apart from the rest of the world. 'Since its doors were cautiously opened in 1974, visitors have been mesmerized: the environment is pristine, the scenery and architecture are awesome, the people are hospitable and charming, and the culture unique in its purity.

' [2] 'Despite the huge potential of its natural resources, Bhutan emerged as one of Asia's poorest countries, shunning the 'profit at all costs' mentality of the rest of the world. With one foot in the past and one in the future, it strolls confidently towards modernization, on its own terms, fiercely protecting its ancient culture, its natural resources and its deeply Buddhist way of life. ' [3] For the most part, the Kingdom of Bhutan has had remarkable success with its transition to becoming a relatively technological society. It is a nation which has also retained it culture and way of life in the process. Some scholars feel that in the United States, we have lost the more positive aspects of our culture, and thus, our 'gross national happiness. ' This loss, apparently, is the cost of being a highly technological and consumption driven society.

Americans are, by many measures, the most successful people ever known. Our enormously productive economy affords us luxuries beyond the wildest dreams of previous generations. However, this prosperity brings evidence of a different story. Our rising standard of living has not always resulted in a higher quality of life. Indeed, in many ways there has been an erosion in our sense of well-being, both for us as individuals and for us as a people.

Our wealth has come with unforeseen costs: personal, social and environmental. We must ask ourselves, 'Is this really the American dream?' The traditional American dream of opportunity, progress, and freedom speaks to the hearts of most people. Yet the recent 'more is better' definition of the dream has many hidden costs. Our way of life depends on a continuous influx of the very commodities that are most damaging to the environment. This is particularly troubling since nearly every other nation in the world is emulating American consumption patterns.

As global population increases and consumption skyrockets, we are rapidly depleting the planet's natural resources, degrading its renewable support systems of water, soil, and air, and producing more waste than the Earth and the atmosphere can absorb. Our hectic work-and-spend way of life also has huge social costs. Every year, millions of families declare personal bankruptcy, and credit card debt reaches new heights. Millions of Americans report feeling exhausted, pressured, and hungry for more balanced lives. They are seeking greater purpose and more free time to spend with family and friends. Evidence tends to say that this is not the life that most of us would dream about.

The following statements are a list of facts that support this claim: o Despite the astounding economic growth between 1958 and 1980, Americans reported feeling significantly less well-off in 1980 than they had 22 years before. [4] o Americans reporting that they were 'very happy' were no more numerous in 1991 than in 1957. [5] o Percentage of 18 to 29 year-olds who think they have a very good chance of achieving 'the good life': 1978: 41% 1993: 21% [6] o Rise in per capita consumption in the U.S. in the last 20 years: 45% [7] o Decrease in quality of life in the U.S. since 1970, as measured by the index of Social Health: 51% [8] o Percentage of Americans who feel the American Dream is very much alive: 1986: 32% 1990: 23% [9] While the preceding statistics show only American opinion, it is reasonable to assume that many people in other industrialized, consumption driven countries might feel the same way. In fact, America is often the example for other developing nations. The spread of technology and consumerism across the globe will have a much greater impact on lifestyle and, particularly, on the environment. 'The difference between consumption as practiced in the industrial world and consumption in the developing world is rather astounding: the one fifth of global population living in the highest-income countries account for 86 percent of private consumption expenditures.

The poorest fifth account for a little over 1 percent. ' [10] 'Given high economic growth rates in many parts of the world, as well as the rapid spread of electronic media, advertising, and consumer goods, we must ask what kind of consuming future we can expect in areas that are now constrained by poverty and isolation. If everyone develops a desire for the Western high-consumption lifestyle, the relentless growth in consumption, energy use, waste, and emissions may be disastrous. ' [11] Though it is hypocritical to deny to others the luxuries (and even more so the basic necessities) we take for granted, the current ecological crisis will worsen dramatically as the 'more is better' definition of the American dream spreads throughout the globe. According to a recent estimate by Mathis Wackernagel, 'if everyone consumed at the level of the average North American, it would take four extra planets to supply the necessary resources. ' [12] Globalization and the marketing of the American consumer lifestyle provokes millions of global consumers to suddenly 'need's port utility vehicles, big screen TVs and closets of stuff -- something the already overburdened planet can ill-afford.

However, Mother Earth is not alone in feeling the strain. At the individual level, the endless pursuit of making and having more is stressing out American families. We work and commute longer hours in order to afford those big houses in the suburbs, thus leaving less time to spend in those houses and less time to put all those possessions to use. Worse yet, we have less time for the things we say are most important: our kids, family, friends, and hobbies.

Many of us still find ourselves running from job to highway to store, then briefly home before leaving for the job again. As we " ve seen, unlimited consumption, once the hallmark of the American Dream, is becoming a nightmare for us, for others and for the earth. It is eroding our environmental, social and personal well-being. We are rich in things, but poor in happiness. Our over-consumption has also weakened our economy. Leading economic observers assert that our economic health depends on consuming less and saving more.

Every time we spend money we consume resources, so saving money links directly to saving forests, other species, mineral resources, water and ultimately the earth. For ourselves, and for all life, we must return to financial sanity. The good news is there is a growing trend towards what some experts call 'fiscal fitness. ' Tired of debt stress and clutter, people now want more time for family, friends, fun and community service.

They are discovering that a high quality of life does not depend on a higher material standard of living. Fortunately, many Americans are adopting this desire for a higher quality of life, and thus, are achieve ing what King Jigme would call 'gross national happiness. ' Millions have chosen to slow down their lifestyles and to voluntarily reduced their work hours in order to spend more time with their families and interests. Others have joined campaigns to shield their families from hyper-commercialism.

Some have cut material and resource consumption through a variety of advocacy and technological strategies everything from removing their names from junk mail lists to installing compact fluorescent light bulbs and super efficient insulation. Thousands of other Americans have followed these paths throughout the home and beyond, connecting with simplicity study groups and sustainable community initiatives. Altogether, it seems that Americans are looking to simplify their lives in order to find true happiness. Seventy-five percent of American workers ages 25 to 49 would like to see a return to a simpler society with less emphasis on material wealth. [13] By embracing the Bhutan idea of 'gross national happiness' we will help ourselves and the world come to equilibrium with our environments. We will gain stronger environmental ethics, more closely knit communities, and a better sense of well-being.

As less consuming Americans will soon be able to find the path to personal freedom and social revitalization. Notes 1. Michael Zilinziger, 'High in the Himalayas, going global,' Philadelphia Inquirer, 23 July 2000, sec. 1 A, p. 3.2. Internet: web subcontinent / bhutan / Lonely Planet Productions, 2000.3. Internet: web subcontinent / bhutan / Lonely Planet Productions, 2000.4.

Paul L. Wachter, 'The Case Against Growth,' New Age Journal, November / December 1988, p. 23.5. Alan Durning, 'Asking How Much is Enough,' in Lester R. Brown et al, State of the World 1991 (New York: W.W. Norton and Co. Inc., 1001, ) p 156.6. Alan L. Otten, 'Young Adults Now Are More Pessimistic,' Wall Street Journal, September 27, 1993.7.

John Cunni ff, 'Would You Believe These Are the Good Old Days?', Seattle Times, September 19, 1993.8. Social Problems on Rise, U.S. 'Health Check's hows,' Seattle Post- Intelligencer, January 14, 1992.9. Barbara Benham, 'Why Have We Lost Confidence?'. Investor's Business Daily, June 12, 1992.10. United Nations Development Programme, Human Development Report 1998 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1998) p. 2.11. Richard R. Wilk, Emulation and Global Consumerism, in Paul C. Stern, Thomas Dietz, Vernon W. Rattan, Robert H. Soco low, and James L. Sweeney, editors, Environmentally Significant Consumption (Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1997) p. 110.12.

Wackernagel et al. National Natural Capital Accounting with the Ecological Footprint Concept, Ecological Economics, Volume 29, Number 3, June 1999, pp. 375-390.13. Ramon C. McLeod, 'Baby Boomers Seek 'Meaning',' San Francisco Chronicle, February 13, 1989.