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Punctuating “Happiness”: Punctuated equilibrium theory and the agenda‐setting of the Gross National Happiness (GNH) policy in Bhutan

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  • Lhawang Ugyel
  • Michael Givel
  • Dendup Chophel

Abstract

Gross National Happiness (GNH), a concept first introduced by Bhutan, has gained immense traction as an alternate development paradigm to GDP toward achieving wholesome global progress. In this paper, we investigate the origins of the policy of GNH, through the theoretical lens of the punctuated equilibrium theory (PET), and when and how GNH came to the national agenda. By focusing on the year 2008, that is, when Bhutan's Government transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a democratic constitutional monarchy, this paper analyses the key events that serve as policy windows and the policy entrepreneurs responsible for agenda‐setting the policy of GNH. We argue there is a major change, such as, the government changing its form from monarchy to democracy, it is a definitive benchmark as to what punctuation means. In addition to providing a definitive meaning of “punctuation” in public policy, we also identify and discuss the key methodological issues in relation PET and offer explanations through Bhutan's policy of GNH to determine policy punctuation and measuring policy change. 国民幸福总值(GNH)是不丹首次引入的概念，此概念作为GDP的替代发展范式获得了巨大关注，目的是实现有益的全球进步。本文中，我们透过间断平衡理论(PET)视角，研究了GNH政策的起源，以及GNH何时以及如何进入国家议程。不丹政府在2008年从绝对的君主制过渡到民主的君主立宪制，聚焦于此，本文分析了作为政策之窗的关键事件和负责制定GNH政策议程的政策企业家。我们论证认为，这一转变存在重大变化(例如政府形式从君主制转变为民主制)，符合间断的明确基准。除了提出“间断”在公共政策中的明确含义外，我们还识别和探讨了与PET相关的关键方法论问题，并通过不丹的GNH政策提供解释，以确定政策间断和衡量政策变革。 La Felicidad Nacional Bruta (GNH), un concepto introducido por primera vez en Bután, ha ganado una enorme tracción como un paradigma de desarrollo alternativo al PIB para lograr un progreso global saludable. En este artículo, investigamos los orígenes de la política de FNB, a través del lente teórico de la teoría del equilibrio puntuado (PET), y cuándo y cómo la FNB llegó a la agenda nacional. Centrándose en el año 2008, es decir, cuando el gobierno de Bután hizo la transición de una monarquía absoluta a una monarquía constitucional democrática, este documento analiza los eventos clave que sirven como ventana política y los empresarios políticos responsables de establecer la agenda de la política de FNB. Argumentamos que hay un cambio importante, como que el gobierno cambia su forma de monarquía a democracia, es un punto de referencia definitivo en cuanto a lo que significa la puntuación. Además de proporcionar un significado definitivo de "puntuación" en la política pública, también identificamos y discutimos los problemas metodológicos clave en relación con PET y ofrecemos explicaciones a través de la política de GNH de Bután para determinar la puntuación de la política y medir el cambio de política.

Suggested Citation

  • Lhawang Ugyel & Michael Givel & Dendup Chophel, 2024. "Punctuating “Happiness”: Punctuated equilibrium theory and the agenda‐setting of the Gross National Happiness (GNH) policy in Bhutan," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 41(3), pages 491-507, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:revpol:v:41:y:2024:i:3:p:491-507
    DOI: 10.1111/ropr.12559
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Katsu Masaki & Jit Tshering, 2021. "Exploring the Origins of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness," Journal of South Asian Development, , vol. 16(2), pages 273-292, August.
    2. Andrew E. Clark, 2018. "Four Decades of the Economics of Happiness: Where Next?," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 64(2), pages 245-269, June.
    3. Peter H. Westfall, 2014. "Kurtosis as Peakedness, 1905-2014. R.I.P," The American Statistician, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 68(3), pages 191-195, April.
    4. Michael Givel, 2012. "Nonpunctuated and Sweeping Policy Change: B hutan Tobacco Policy Making from 1991 to 2009," Review of Policy Research, Policy Studies Organization, vol. 29(5), pages 645-660, September.
    5. Michael Givel, 2015. "The Paradox of Explosive and Gradual Policy Change in Political Revolutionary Times," Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems - scientific journal, Croatian Interdisciplinary Society Provider Homepage: http://indecs.eu, vol. 13(3), pages 405-419.
    6. Kubiszewski, Ida & Costanza, Robert & Franco, Carol & Lawn, Philip & Talberth, John & Jackson, Tim & Aylmer, Camille, 2013. "Beyond GDP: Measuring and achieving global genuine progress," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 57-68.
    7. repec:zna:indecs:v:13:y:2015:i:2:p:405-419 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Frank R. Baumgartner & Christian Breunig & Christoffer Green‐Pedersen & Bryan D. Jones & Peter B. Mortensen & Michiel Nuytemans & Stefaan Walgrave, 2009. "Punctuated Equilibrium in Comparative Perspective," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 53(3), pages 603-620, July.
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