Which of the following countries first invented the idea of “Gross National…
2017
Which of the following countries first invented the idea of “Gross National Happiness” to use happiness as a measure of good governance?
- A.
Great Britain
- B.
Taiwan
- C.
Norway
- D.
Bhutan
Attempted by 165 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
The concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) was first introduced by King Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan in the 1970s. Unlike traditional economic models that focus solely on Gross Domestic Product (GDP), GNH prioritizes holistic well-being, cultural preservation, and environmental conservation as indicators of a nation's progress. This philosophy was formally adopted into Bhutan's constitution and governance framework, making it the pioneering country to use happiness as a primary measure of good governance. Other nations like Norway and Great Britain have since implemented similar well-being metrics, but they did not originate the concept. Taiwan has also focused on development indicators, yet it was Bhutan that established GNH as a core national policy. Therefore, the correct answer is Option D (Bhutan), as it uniquely pioneered this governance approach.