Gross National Happiness in Bhutan: Is Buddhist Constitutionalism Legitimate in the Age of Secularism? A Post-Colonial View

Bhutan’s current constitution draws upon the historical dual system of religious-civil governance under monarchy (previously Abbot-king) embodying Mahayana Buddhist concept Boddhisatva-leadership. democracy includes an executive-military and pluralist religious custodian role for King who can be abdicated by parliament. It Gross National Happiness as spiritual core, which is non-binding law, incorporating many human rights values like compassion. The ban on proselytization in secular should viewed from a geopolitical post-colonial perspective Christian civilization mission India/China annexation-politics, Asian definitions secularism (Royal patronage pluralism). Christians do experience restrictions congregation. Hindu Nepalese-origin migrants experience(d) citizenship issues due to context but express religion fully. GNH-policy also has certain implementation difficulties GNH index indicates declining community spirituality face modernist development. does not fall within definition theocracy. clergy excluded electoral process. King’s authority mainly based moral leadership, popular uncertainty about imported democracy, non-absolute larger than conventional constitutional monarchies. more its binding provisions offers space non-GNH oriented governments, recent practice. Preserving identity stability aim needs look at group approach, apart individualist approaches. Human traditions could acknowledge cultural-religious roots that inspired them keep dignity alive, instead wanting remove it state altogether making new religion.