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Can Nepal become a global model for building a Gross National Happiness-based economy, and what practical steps are necessary to achieve this?
In a world obsessed with growth metrics, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has long been the undisputed king. It determines economic strength, influences political decisions, and shapes national strategies. But as global crises deepen—from climate change to rising social inequality—the question has grown louder: does GDP really measure what matters? This dissatisfaction is not new. Back in 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy gave a famous speech criticizing the Gross National Product (GNP), GDP’s predecessor, for measuring “everything except what makes life worth living,” including air pollution and prison construction, but not “the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the smiles on their faces.” Today, more than half a century later, this sentiment has evolved into a pressing global debate about the need for alternative development models.
Amid this search, the most radical and structured answer came from an unexpected place: the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. The concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) was proposed as a holistic development philosophy that prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet over mere economic production. The VNS is not just an ephemeral concept, but a holistic system designed to balance the material and spiritual needs of society.
But while Bhutan remains a pioneer, its unique path – that of a small, relatively homogeneous monarchy – raises questions about the scalability and applicability of the model to other contexts. This is where Nepal enters the global arena. With breathtaking natural beauty and deep structural problems, it represents a more complex and perhaps more relevant testing ground for the rest of the world. Nepal is a young federal democracy with a diverse population that is grappling with a legacy of civil conflict, deep-rooted social inequality, and acute geopolitical tensions.
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By Alpha Business MediaIn a world obsessed with growth metrics, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has long been the undisputed king. It determines economic strength, influences political decisions, and shapes national strategies. But as global crises deepen—from climate change to rising social inequality—the question has grown louder: does GDP really measure what matters? This dissatisfaction is not new. Back in 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy gave a famous speech criticizing the Gross National Product (GNP), GDP’s predecessor, for measuring “everything except what makes life worth living,” including air pollution and prison construction, but not “the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the smiles on their faces.” Today, more than half a century later, this sentiment has evolved into a pressing global debate about the need for alternative development models.
Amid this search, the most radical and structured answer came from an unexpected place: the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. The concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) was proposed as a holistic development philosophy that prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet over mere economic production. The VNS is not just an ephemeral concept, but a holistic system designed to balance the material and spiritual needs of society.
But while Bhutan remains a pioneer, its unique path – that of a small, relatively homogeneous monarchy – raises questions about the scalability and applicability of the model to other contexts. This is where Nepal enters the global arena. With breathtaking natural beauty and deep structural problems, it represents a more complex and perhaps more relevant testing ground for the rest of the world. Nepal is a young federal democracy with a diverse population that is grappling with a legacy of civil conflict, deep-rooted social inequality, and acute geopolitical tensions.