http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/institutions/bhutan_s_unique_democracy_a_first_verdict Comments for "Bhutan’s unique democracy, Karma Phuntsho " en http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/institutions/bhutan_s_unique_democracy_a_first_verdict <p id="oqnz"> The Kingdom of <a id="nxmf" href="http://www.bhutan.gov.bt/">Bhutan</a>, positioned in the high Himalayas between the two Asian giants of India and China, takes pride in doing things differently. Its foremost goal is &quot;<a id="yvfw" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_national_happiness">gross national happiness</a>&quot;, and tourism is restricted to those who can afford a hefty package of some $200 per day. Almost 60% of the country is considered to be under forest cover, with 25% staunchly protected as nature reserve. Bhutan&#39;s landscape is bestrewn with traditional architecture and religious monuments and sparsely populated by just over half a million people who still walk proud in their unique traditional dress (<em>gho</em> for men, <em>kira</em> for women). The sale of tobacco is banned nationwide and internet and TV arrived only at the end of the 1990s. Even democracy has come to this country in the most unusual way. </p>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/institutions/bhutan_s_unique_democracy_a_first_verdict" class="read-more" title="Read the rest of this posting.">Read the rest of this post...</a><p><a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/institutions/bhutan_s_unique_democracy_a_first_verdict">read more</a></p> http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/institutions/bhutan_s_unique_democracy_a_first_verdict#comment asia &amp; pacific democracy &amp; power Creative Commons normal globalisation institutions &amp; government Karma Phuntsho Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:15:58 +0100 opendemocracy 36149 at http://www.opendemocracy.net