As Americans, we continually seek products and activities that we believe will contribute the most to our well being and happiness. Gym memberships, eating healthy, all natural food, buying high brands of clothing and shoes, belonging to a religious sect, the list goes on and on. It is even stated in our Declaration of Independence that happiness, as well as safety, liberty, equality, and justice, are among the most basic human rights that should be protected by the government.
However, many Americans today complain that the federal government is too big, even infringing upon the most basic rights of its citizens. Rather than be a hindrance to the well being of its citizens, government should provide security of safety and the pursuit of happiness, and broad regulation of activities as a means for individuals to pursue their version of a good life.
The government of Bhutan is far ahead of the rest of the world in actively and directly implementing measures to protect and promote the happiness of its citizens (Canvas video). Ten years ago, Bhutan’s fourth king implemented a program called the Gross National Happiness (GNH), making it the first country to ever attribute its success due to the overall happiness of its people rather than economic success (GDP). National happiness is based upon four pillars of cultural promotion, environmental conservation, equitable and sustainable economic development, and good governance, each one measured statistically through seventy-two variables (e.g. overall health of population,, educational attainment, quality of environment living standards, economic security, etc.) Though we only know one side of the success of GNH in Bhutan (the viewpoint of the elite male politicians rather than the lower classes who are experiencing the first hand effects of the program), its richly Buddhist culture spans back thousands of years, uniting its people in a religious and cultural identity.
Having a general knowledge of Bhutan’s people and other global cultures is crucial to having a balanced worldview. Ignorance of other cultures can lead to a fear of them, as the unknown tends to be feared and ostracized; a sort of ‘us’ vs ‘them’ mentality. Generalizations about other peoples can lead to judgement and condemnation of them without ever knowing the facts, such as the Americans’ view of Asians after Pearl Harbor. Americans subsequently adopted a hatred of the entire Asian culture, when really it was the decision of a few elite Japanese politicians to bomb Pearl Harbor.
Overcoming ignorance of other cultures enables us to relate to other peoples in ways we could have never imagined before. Almost all cultures and religions share the same core values, including the promotion of peace, aid to those in need, and compassion for all people, even one’s enemies. Karen Armstrong notes that the implementation of the Golden Rule- doing unto others what you would have them do unto you- is at the center of every single religion in existence. The only way religions differ is in that implementation of compassion to your fellow men; this is where specific religious practices differ in their rules and teachings to its members. Therefore, communicating between cultures is key to understanding and learning from each other. The United Nations’ development of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights post World War II implemented this idea of compassion globally.
In order to efficiently and adequately govern a good life, government needs to be able to enact rules and guidelines of activities in order to provide a safe and secure environment for its citizens to achieve a good life, including conserving the environment, promoting the health of its citizens and cultural richness, and ensuring good governance. However, it is up to each individual citizen to emulate compassion and understanding to all of his fellow citizens, in order to attain a friendly and happy society that is balanced and informed on all matters, promoting a good life for all.
Works Cited
Armstrong, Karen. "My Wish: The Charter for Compassion." TED Talks. TED Talks. Web. 13 Feb. 2016.
"Bhutan: Gross National Happiness." Canvas. Santa Fe College. Web. 13 Feb. 2016.
"Charter for Compassion." YouTube. Santa Fe College, 18 Nov. 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2016.
"The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription." The Charters. National Archives and Records Administration. Web. 13 Feb. 2016.
"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights | United Nations." UN News Center. United Nations, 10 Dec. 1948. Web. 13 Feb. 2016.
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