The world has come a long way since the father of Economics Adam Smith published his ‘the wealth of nations’ in 1776. I did not read the book and I have almost totally forgotten the little economics I learnt in school. However, I think it is basically proposing that fulfilling individual needs leads to societal development. Yet in Bhutan, I often find us disappointed that we are a poor country with rich people. So, I wish to propose relooking and rethinking about how to fulfil individual needs through Gewanomics. It is impossible to fulfil individual needs without this concept.
All along we have proudly considered ourselves privileged being born in a great country where Mahayana Buddhism has flourished. We have also heard from Rinpoches and Lamas innumerable times that one doesn’t necessarily need to don red robes, shave heads, and hide oneself in obscure caves high up in the mountains to practise Buddhism. We can very well do it while still being a layperson. The question is, are we doing it?
Today we are faced with extraordinary and unprecedented situation where most Bhutanese want to go abroad. Times have changed and people are different in their thinking; priorities, tastes and preferences. During our time as kids, when asked what we would do in future, we would say ‘I want to grow up and serve the Tsawa Sum’. Perhaps then, we might not have been even aware that there were countries outside our own, and people used to be really contented with what they had. Observing what I’m seeing, and listening to what I’m hearing, I get a chilling discomfort in my chest that this may not be the case with children these days. I hope I’m wrong in this speculation. However, hearing about students pulling out of college or high school to go abroad is clear evidence, and it is painful.
It is extremely sad that the country is trying to achieve the status as ‘developed nation’ where income is more, facilities are better, services are efficient, etc., but people are choosing to leave. It is a bit strange the future as ‘developed nation’ is not inspiring people to stay and be part of it. Perhaps there is a different nuance to it than a plain sight of rejection of a bright future. My fellow Bhutanese cannot be naïve to run away from a beautiful country which is a safe heaven and has a big ambition under the able and farsighted leadership of the peerless Monarch.
Like that woman hesitantly submitted to His Majesty as narrated in the 114th National Day Speech in December 2021, money is important. There’s no denying. What’s important to remember and remind ourselves is that the degree of importance of money varies; it’s more serious for some than others. So, here the application of Gewanomics is relevant. The wealth should trickle down to those in need instead of remaining with the few. It’s when more people feel safe and secure financially will the country move forward. With only few being rich and more people impoverished and worried, obstacles and impediments to development will be more; illnesses, drugs, depression, crimes, corruption, theft, and other such problems which are the causes for cost for the country. Prison is a cost.
There are many ways to practise Gewanomics. In fact, the way has long been paved in the right direction through free health and education granted by the great Monarch. The Royal Government and its policies have always enabled enrichment and growth of Bhutanese except for the unusual distortion brought about by the recent pandemic. However, have people given back to the country proportionately? This is hard to tell. People have gone to America, Europe, Japan and many developed countries and come back. Yet, there is hardly any solid evidence of having implemented their ways. Roads have always remained Bhutanese roads, drainages have always given problems during monsoon, littering and garbage-dumping is habitual with many Bhutanese. We do not even have a proper speed-bump yet.
There are a few places from where Gewanomics can and should begin: it can come from the elected Cabinet by genuinely targeting its decisions at benefiting the people rather than their pledges; it can start from respective government agencies and other organizations by fulfilling their mandates, roles and responsibilities with a true heart of service; civil servants genuinely thinking and serving citizens as servants with courtesy and kindness; it can start at schools where children are taught not just for examinations, but for living and loving; it can start with the elites by sharing their wealth instead of boasting the Bhutanese ego that ‘I may have spilled more than you have eaten’; Jindags should look at enriching their employees by sharing profits rather than changing Landcruisers, one after another. Landlords should try considering the welfare of their tenants rather than revising and increasing rents after every two years. In the same manner, employees should really work hard and sincerely for their employers, and tenants should take care of the houses and apartments as if they owned the places. This is how Gewanomics should work and when it does, we become one big family caring for each other.
Between Economics and Gewanomics, the difference lies in their ultimate aim and intention. While the Economics posits that the resources are limited, wants are unlimited, and we must compete with each other, Gewanomics is premised on the notion that the unlimited wants are useless and when limited resources are shared, the ultimate benefit returns to the one who shared. One can safely presume that it is something like ‘what goes around comes around’, and more valuable and uncommon the things one shares, more the returns as granted by the invisible divine powers. It can be in the form of material benefits, good health and long life, career success, smooth relationships, able and capable progenies, and love and respects in the society. Further, while as per Economics when one amasses wealth it is an individual’s success, Gewanomics views it as a temporary custodianship and the divine powers have entrusted her/him as an outlet to share and distribute to others. It views the world’s resources as belonging to everyone, and some are chosen to collect and care, and share. So, a wealthy person must feel at best some obligation to help someone less fortunate, and guilty at worst that while others are wearing torn cloths, walk bare-feet, homeless and hungry, destitute, she or he is lavishing on many unnecessary stuffs. So, it can be understood that Economics is about competition, Gewanomics is about compassion.
As you can see, it is not about pricing dictated by demand and supply situation. It is about opportunities to help each other; some parting with their wealth and some putting forth their labour. It’s where everyone helps the others depending upon their situation, especially when one has possessions more than the basic needs. In the end, Gewanomics is about thoughts and actions by everyone making the other person feel lucky to be around.
Some of the success indicators are: having excellent relationships with individuals and community; not registering oneself with the ACC, RBP, RAA, Court of Law; having one spouse and being happy for whole of life; number of grateful constituents (those less fortunate than you) because you helped; number of people praising you as a person of integrity; and not money, buildings, land and cars. This way, nobody will even think of leaving this beautiful tiny Kingdom called Bhutan, The Land of Thunder Dragon.
Contributed by
Namgay Wangchuk