Participatory decision-making, sustainable development and pursuing happiness : Bhutanian experiences

Whether a society can achieve sustainable development and happiness is determined by actual practices of individuals and institutions. Bhutan joined the club of high ranking countries on the Happiness Index at a per capita GDP less than $3,000. The national policies respect the Bhutanian traditional values and cultures held dear to the Bhutan people. The social norms and internalized personal norms value nature conservation and sustainable development. And the gradually broadening channels of public participation in development decision-making effectively enriched the information base of government decision-making. Thus, reflecting individual pursuit of happiness in national policies makes individual preferences and societal development goals become mutually reinforcing. The Bhutanian government can thus effectively preserve traditional values and cultures and build consensus on sustainable development agendas. Bhutan offered valuable experiences on aligning individual values and beliefs, individual behaviors, and national policies and translating into concrete results of sustainable development and happiness.