Bhutan is a small, landlocked country located in the Himalayas between India and China. It has a population of just over 750,000 people and is known for its stunning natural beauty and unique culture. Bhutan is also notable for its commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
Bhutan's transition to democracy began in the late 1980s, when the country underwent a series of political and economic reforms. Prior to this time, Bhutan was a largely isolated and feudal monarchy, with the king holding absolute power. However, in the 1980s, the country began to open up to the outside world and adopt more modern policies.
In 2008, Bhutan held its first democratic elections, which were deemed free and fair by international observers. The elections marked a major milestone in Bhutan's democratic development, as they marked the first time that the country's citizens had a direct say in their government.
Since then, Bhutan has held regular elections and has developed a strong system of checks and balances. The country has a bicameral parliament, with the National Council serving as an upper house and the National Assembly serving as the lower house. The prime minister is the head of government, and the king serves as a ceremonial figurehead.
Bhutan's democracy is not without its challenges, however. The country is still relatively poor, and many citizens lack access to basic education and healthcare. There are also concerns about corruption and the influence of special interests on the political process.
Despite these challenges, Bhutan's commitment to democracy is unwavering. The country has a strong constitution that guarantees the rights and freedoms of its citizens, and it is committed to upholding the rule of law. Bhutan's democratic system is still relatively young, but it has already made significant progress and has the potential to continue to mature and strengthen in the coming years.
Evolution of Bhutanese Democracy
Role of The MonarchyFurther information: History of Bhutan, House of Wangchuck, and Dorji family The process of modernization and democratization was initiated by the Third King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck r. Democracy for Bhutan — even more than elsewhere — is and must be a process, not a fixed and unchanging set of rules, of self-evolution and self-government that is consistent with the Tsa-wa-Sum The King, Country, and People. After his death his son King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk 1952-1972 ascended the throne as the third king in 1952. Bhutan has a small graduate community of just 3000 persons. The rule of law is an essential component underlying any system claiming to be democratic. Under the newly framed election laws, no one can contest parliamentary elections without having a graduate degree.
Democracy in Bhutan
Why Daniel Morgan Won The Civil War 719 Words 3 Pages By 1763, taxes were increasing and being used to help with the dept of the French and Indian war George. The youngest king began his unusual reign as a king overseeing the democratization of his country. Bhutan: A Country Study. In a sign of the changing times and decentralization process in 1992, Kuensel, by a Royal Edict was made independent from the government ministry that ran the paper. If we start from the first king, King Ugyen Wangchuk to the present king, King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk we can notice one thing that every king of Wangchuk dynasty has thought about the country, Bhutan.
Bhutan’s Road to Democracy
Is it again time to encourage those to find advantage in a more proactive involvement with society? Till there was no democracy in Bhutan, the king governed the country with the support of a National Assembly and a Council of Ministers. How is democratic Bhutan deal with economy? The state owned media upgraded its editorial quality and also started doing a higher number of investigative and critical stories. Being located in geopolitically sensitive location every small move may be looked with suspicion by our neighbors. Not only did democracy change the authoritative governmental system to a democratic system, but it also allowed for the small country to experience great economical growth. However, there is a clear indication that more and more people are beginning to desire a transnational form of democracy — a democracy that goes beyond political boarders Held et al, 2010: 1. The private media also strengthened the critical media and brought about new and independent players, in the form of private individuals or corporate houses owning newspapers. The meeting which was mainly to request China to consider Bhutan and support it for a UN Security Council bid, hosted a lot of false media speculation and reporting stating the willingness of both countries to establish diplomatic relations soon.
