Destination: Happiness?

Beyond the challenge of benevolent social planning lies the challenge of getting everyone on board. One of the issues that wrinkles my forehead most is trying to understand who is committed to GNH here and how much. Needless to say, Bhutan is no more monolithic in its ideologies and vision than is the United States. Those whose spirit and mind are deeply rooted in their Buddhist faith are also those who are most focused on GNH. But a lot of powerful individuals here love their Land Cruisers, drivers, and maids. They see an economy where everything is possible and they are in the position to reap the most benefit if it opens up wide to unbridled growth. So, you have strange rationalizations happening: an extraordinarily expensive consulting contract (with worthless you-know-who) to accelerate growth (mind you, this economy grows at a Chinesey clip of 8-9% annually). You have one of the GNH strategies being the relaxation of architectural restrictions (because it inhibits start-ups and growth -- see growth rate above.) And, most disconcerting of all, you get a strong push for accession to the WTO. Not because of its economic merits but because it is a threat-reducing, fear-allaying official recognition from one more international institution.

So, what do you have? Contestation for the future of Bhutan. I worry. Eyes wide open, I place hope in Bhutan to share with the world an alternative. Placing humanity, generosity, community, culture, and the environment at the center of our collective future. But, like I said in an earlier post, the shiny and the glittery are seductive. It's a tussle between the material and the spirit and one side doesn't have to fall in the mud. It's a matter of finding common ground and negotiating some balance in development but it's usually the case that the Land Cruisers blow by those walking at 100km -- and that's what has me concerned.