FGV-SP Administração 2019/1

STATE-SPONSORED HAPPINESS
By Karen Greenspan

[1]     Last November [2015], citizens of the tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan were in a frenzy preparing for the sixtieth birth anniversary of their previous
king, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who had reigned from 1972–2006. This wise, benevolent, and
innovative leader brought Bhutan into the modern age by implementing such public policies as free public education, free healthcare services, well-planned
business development, internet connectivity, and vigorous environmental protections. In an unparalleled move, he launched the drafting of a constitution
and shifted the country to democracy. He then abdicated the throne to his eldest son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. According to many, the
Fourth Druk Gyalpo made this move because he did not want his son to be thrust unprepared into the role of leadership as he had been at age sixteen when
his father died suddenly and unexpectedly.
[2]     The Fourth Druk Gyalpo is probably most renowned, however, for introducing the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH)—the government policy
that measures the growth and development of the country by the happiness and contentment of its people. At the core of the policy are four priorities—
equitable and sustainable development, protection of the environment, preservation and promotion of Bhutan’s unique cultural heritage, and provision
of good and responsive governance.
[3]     In honor of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s birthday, the entire country observed three days of celebration from November 9-11. Because Bhutan is a Buddhist
country, prayers and rituals were woven into the festivities. The Je Khenpo, spiritual leader of the country, wrote a special zhabten—a prayer for the long
life of an individual composed by a senior spiritual figure whose power of speech is considered capable of turning word into reality. Other prayers and texts
were to be recited across the country in fortresses, monasteries, temples, and seminaries. At Changlimithang Stadium in the capital city of Thimphu, one
hundred monks rehearsed a sacred dance called Zheng Zhi Pem, which is a component of the Longevity Ritual. An elaborate ceremonial procession with
military, monastic, and government officials, as well as an honor guard of one thousand army personnel, was presented three times to His Majesty.
[4]     Because the people of Bhutan are so happy – more than ninety-one percent of the population were scored as happy in a 2015 GNH survey – many of
them wanted to participate in showing gratitude for His Majesty’s leadership. The currency [moeda] of gratitude in this land of happiness is dance. As a
result, practically all of Bhutan took part in commemorating – mostly through dance – the birthday of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. The release of thousands
of colorful, biodegradable balloons and three cake-cutting ceremonies capped the celebrations.
[5]     What I understood, after witnessing these events in November, is that a government’s focus on the happiness of a country’s people can be a powerful
transformative force, an instrument for positive social change.

Adapted from Natural History, March 2016.