Road Not Taken : Gross National Happiness

Since the time being, happiness was exclusively counted under the domain of poetry, philosophy and often taken as an aesthetic concept. However some modern societies have also begun to accept happiness as prominent indicator of national wellbeing and much better alternative to the notion of (GDP) Gross Domestic Product. Initially, the system of GDP came to being when global societies feel necessity of accounting systems to monitor their economic fluctuation rate. Some western economic schools gradually institutionalize the concept that economic prosperity entails quality of life and social wellbeing. However, GDP was never regarded as official indicator to measure the overall social well-being of citizens.

Till date many research has subvert this grand paradox of economic growth and social well-being. May be the case of China can provide some practical evidences. After the economic reform, since 1990 to 2002 the economy of China has increased by double, yet the happiness or satisfaction index has declined between same periods. Financial reform led to the downfall of labour market, termination of social safety net, income security, health etc results decline in gross happiness. Also the study done by Gallup poll shows that between 1994 and 2004, Chinese household income increase by 2 ½ but no progress in satisfaction rate. In Short Chinese people remain less happy despite an unprecedented rate of economic growth.

In recent years some alternative model to GDP has become prominent subject in international discussions. Take the case of Bhutan, Since 1970s; the small Himalayan nation has rejected GDP as the only way to measure national progress. It has been experimenting with new approach, which measure national wellbeing in accordance with official principles of Gross National Happiness (GNH). Gross National Happiness is an all-inclusive and idealistic approach to development, which seek equilibrium in material and non-material values with the belief that humans always pursuit happiness. It’s an aggregate measure of a nation’s prosperity beyond the indication of GDP and GNP. It endeavours to calculate not only economic output but also net environmental impacts, mental and physical health, the spiritual as well as cultural growth of citizens and other domain of human life.

The tendency to put human happiness over material growth to measure countries prosperity was regarded as peculiar system. But today’s world challenged by unequal financial system, Cybercrime, global violence, depression and rapid environmental destruction, this small state’s unique initiation is finding ground in International arena. During the 66th session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Nobel laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz views that “Maximizing GDP is not the same as maximizing wellbeing.” With this statement made in international forum the concept of GNH become more institutional and gain excessive popularity.

The reason GNH concept is getting so much appreciation worldwide is that the people in modern time are not satisfied with the way societies are functioning. People are demanding for more sustainable and rational approach to measure development which would include the dimension of environmental, social and cultural context into policy framework.

The idea of placing happiness at the heart of national interest in not new but remained as old concept overlooked by mainstream policy around the world. .GNH today worth more than just a concept, it’s the live experiment of alternative development pursued by Bhutan. Human are by nature tempted to increase anything that can be measured and correlated with certain achievement; students tries to get maximum grades, business enterprise seek for profit, players strive for victory and so on.
Over these years almost all nations are trying hard to increase their GDP because it’s highly correlated with national prosperity which is measured in term of economic. Nevertheless the Ends-Means paradox lies in between. In every case GDP function as medium to achieve the ultimate end, which is prosperity and happiness.

Theoretically if any nation chooses to measure GNH instead of GDP they can also become a prosperous nation without much economic success. But in opposition some critics also claim that the concept of GNH is disguised strategy of politician to encourage conservatism inside nation and justify their failure to solve internal problems. Like many utopian models, the idea of GNH is embedded in admirable philosophies, yet has practical limitations. So neither increased GDP could bring gross national happiness nor could GNH replace the need of GDP. Amid such context the rational step would be to pursue higher level of GNH without abandoning the policies to increase GDP as well. Let’s hope someday humanity would discover similar kinds of innovative approach and drive our world towards higher prosperity and affluence beyond material growth.