tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29345827992285331392011-12-07T13:51:13.377+06:00Sonam TobgyalPublic Policy in pursuit of 'Happiness'Sonam Tobgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314243356309624396noreply@blogger.comBlogger91100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934582799228533139.post-5986955099715353482011-12-07T13:42:00.004+06:002011-12-07T13:51:13.386+06:00Japan to adopt GNH IndexAccording to various media sources, Japanese Government is working towards developing GNH index to measure the standard of living. Japanese GNH Index is expected to have three areas, which being economic and social conditions, mental and physical wellbeing, and family and social connections. The survey is expected to be carried out in 2012.Sonam Tobgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314243356309624396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934582799228533139.post-20640954613916882982011-10-11T15:44:00.006+06:002011-10-11T16:01:22.720+06:00Special Edition: Royal WeddingHis Majesty the Fifth Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wanchuck will wed Jetsun Pema on 13 October 2011 coinciding with 16th day of 8th Month of Iron Female Rabbit Year under Bhutanese Lunar Calendar.Every Bhutanese is excited about it and in festive mood. That day will no doubtedly bring happiness to every Bhutanese. I will be posting some pictures later from both preparation and Sonam Tobgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314243356309624396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934582799228533139.post-16205686393398705032010-08-13T16:46:00.005+06:002010-08-18T13:43:32.960+06:00Olson's theory applied to Bhutan's accession to WTOThe following article that I wrote was published by KUENSEL on 7th August 2010.It is a common view among both decision makers and general public, at least at the back of their mind, that the reason why Bhutan hasn’t yet joined World Trade Organization (WTO) is because of ideological differences between social scientists and the capitalist economists. It is perceived that while most economists Sonam Tobgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314243356309624396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934582799228533139.post-68478755635212568522010-07-23T14:44:00.010+06:002010-08-02T10:20:09.823+06:00Cutting down working hours for happinessHow one uses time is an important factor for both collective and individual happiness. In general, one works for long hours either to accomplish his/her basic needs or to fulfill the requirements of employment rules.While former one pertains to economic dimension, which calls for more complex economic interventions, the latter one can be directly addressed by government policy on time use as Sonam Tobgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314243356309624396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934582799228533139.post-18227812689259721242010-06-01T09:51:00.002+06:002010-06-01T10:01:30.032+06:00Costa Rica looks to Bhutan for happinessSecretary of GNH Commission is in Costa Rica to give an address on GNH concept and to share Bhutan's experiences.Please visit the link below for more details:Costa Rica looks to Bhutan for happinessSonam Tobgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314243356309624396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934582799228533139.post-84901024744952029592010-05-18T10:41:00.001+06:002010-05-18T10:41:51.572+06:00Episode 91: Within Our Reach: Tim Costello on International AidEpisode 91: Within Our Reach: Tim Costello on International AidPosted using ShareThisSonam Tobgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314243356309624396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934582799228533139.post-34654692850781603362010-05-18T10:27:00.001+06:002010-05-18T10:27:39.750+06:00Episode 90: The Cost of A Life: Peter Singer on Ending World PovertyEpisode 90: The Cost of A Life: Peter Singer on Ending World PovertyPosted using ShareThisSonam Tobgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314243356309624396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934582799228533139.post-17166064569523733542009-09-15T13:36:00.004+06:002009-09-15T14:35:33.601+06:00France to use Happiness as Economic IndicatorMany years ago, when someone told great philosophers that earth was round, every one made a mockery of him. It was a myth for a metal-piece to fly until an aeroplane was invented. Not long ago, when Bhutan embarked on it's unique philosophy of Gross National Happiness, many critics especially neo-liberal economists condemned it to be an Utopian idea. With recent global financial and economic Sonam Tobgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314243356309624396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934582799228533139.post-68937092761982938522009-07-29T00:23:00.023+06:002010-02-17T15:31:49.444+06:00Social Welfare Policy and Happiness Philosophy in BhutanBhutan's socio-economic development policy is guided by its unique philosophy of maximizing Gross National Happiness (GNH), which emphasizes on striking the balance between material wellbeing and non-enonomic wellbeing. Simply put, GNH philosophy embraces other dimensions such as culture, environment, spiritual needs, etc. in addition to economic development.Bhutan's GNH philosophy, in principle,Sonam Tobgyalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17314243356309624396noreply@blogger.com0