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The State and Citizen Relationship in Bhutan - a view

Bhutan has experienced rapid changes politically, socially, economically and culturally since it became a nation state in the 1600s, thus changing the relation of its citizens to the state. Thus, a study to understand the exact relationship between state and citizen becomes fundamental. Often stated by many political theorists, the state seems to want maximum authority and citizen maximum liberty. It then becomes the utmost duty of both the state and citizen to compromise on all issues to strike a balance to bring out harmony and happiness in the nation.

The Bhutanese have always been supportive of the state since it became a nation state. This we see in the protective activities of various external interference even as a young nation state when the Tibetans launched many attacks. The untrained ‘pazaps’ (militia) would rise from amongst the farmers in defence of a nationhood they did not even understand. While the citizens held up the state, the state was also considerate in taking care of the citizens through the various policies made, be it taxation or communication.

Interestingly enough, even when the citizens of this young nation ward off the Tibetan and Mongol combined forces giving the world a chance to question the Mongol invincibility, the domestic forces of the Lam Kha Nga offered a more confusing challenge. How could the citizens fight their own people?  Would it question their integrity and unity? But only when the Lam Kha Nga attacked in coalition with the Tibetans, did the citizens realize and recognize their nation state.

Though at times rough and baffled, the state was the citizen and the citizen the state. The vacant seat of the authority in Bhutan in 1705 left the Bhutanese in a state of confusion and struggle. But the people of Bhutan came together once more to fight off the British (Duar Wars) and replaced the Choesi-Nyiden system with a more stable system of governance then – Monarchy. This time they even ensured who was to succeed to avoid any discrepancy later on by confirming it as a hereditary Monarchy system of governance.

Despite the absolutism in the monarchy and the centralization of the government and certain heavy taxes they had to pay, the citizens saw the need to support the state that provided them peace after many years of instability. More peace and happiness was brought about by Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, when he abolished serfdom and ended the age old policy of absolutism and isolation. Never has any state been so considerate when it came to ‘freedom’ of the citizen as did this one. The people now enjoyed more privileges giving them all reasons to support the state.

With the enthronement of Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Bhutanese entered into an era of happiness through the many goals designed by the far-sighted king – self-reliance, sustainability and Gross National Happiness. The Bhutanese now played a greater role in designing the modern nation state of Bhutan. The gift of a vote, representations at the National Assembly and the Constitution has made the Bhutanese citizen more responsible for the development of the young democracy. People – young and old, men and women, now play a very important role in bringing about policies that affect the development of the state and life of the citizens.

However, the state has received a lot of criticism in history and even today. There were times when the citizen had limited liberty and could never raise any issue. Fear defined many policies and the citizen would bear the burden in silence. But the Bhutanese never faced any chaos and disorder between the state and the citizen. Could the silence, perhaps, be due to the short lived “harsh” policies of the state and the citizen’s understanding of the need for peace? The Bhutanese state and citizen have always worked to strike a balance on their needs. Culture and the tradition that the Bhutanese have been brought up on, most probably, plays the most important role in defining the relationship. While benevolent leaders have always tried to educate the people about their rights and responsibilities, the basic Bhutanese courtesy of acceptance and their relaxed attitude have kept commotions at bay, fortifying the relationship. Plans and policies have been taken to the “gewogs” and people encouraged in making their own decisions.

While many views and ideologies have changed since the introduction of democracy in 2008, the Bhutanese still remain loyalists. After the institution of a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy in 2008, people have become more vocal about their needs and the state has become a little authoritative. Is it the suppressed silence or excitement about the new idea of liberty? Or is it the longing for the benevolent leaders as opposed to the new commands? Perhaps it is the modern day awareness that has brought about an understanding of the power of the citizen – that one vote! Or better still, it is development planned by our benevolent leaders that has educated almost all Bhutanese to create a nation that lives content in harmony and happily.

Whatever the reasons, this small country has always been successful in resolving its differences with maturity, through peace. The nation has lived through hard times to prove that Gross National Happiness is not just a theory. Bhutan has solved matters as any ‘family’ solves their problems – with much care and affection. The Bhutanese have always been sensible and sensitive about preservation of its uniqueness. The state and the citizens have always struck a balance to work together towards peace and harmony. Based on the accomplishments up until now, one can see a future where the citizens live content lives protected and cared for by the state.

It is interesting to note after much thought that the Bhutanese nation state, since 1958, has been giving to the citizens what the citizens reluctantly took. The third Druk Gyalpo abolishing serfdom and giving people representation in the newly created National Assembly giving the citizens a right to vote the Monarch out if they lost confidence in him is a wonderful example. The gift of democracy to the citizens by the Great Fourth needs no words of expression. Thus, my definition for the relation of the Bhutanese State and Citizen would be logically stated as being very “protective of each other bound with the utmost harmony ensuring everlasting peace and happiness”.