The Last Shangri-La

Does anyone have a link to this video? Anywhere? Can't seem to find it...

Thanks for the video, it's always interesting to see how the citizens of Bhutan are engaging their democracy. There are some issues in the film however. The first is that the style of Bhutanese democracy was not given to us. We came to see that there is a focus on the ill-effects of television, mass media, and 'Westernisation' which could arguably be re-termed as 'globalisation' but these things have nothing to do with democratic theory.

Democracy is not simply transferring the power to the people and this explanation in the film was not helpful. One of the hardest things to observe is power dynamics in democratically styled polities. However, we did come to see that Bhutan is coming to grips with needing to unravel their own style of democracy, not something that is imported or that is to be emulated. We saw that civic participation was being questioned, that multiparty elections were questioned, that cultural preservation and the GNH were key policy issues, and that the 'international' and 'youth' problems were also major focal points of the plurality. We saw that perhaps some feel social inequality is worsening, that illiteracy in the rural areas is problematic for voting purposes, and that many do not comprehend national policies.

I feel this film would benefit from a much clearer take on democracy and suggest further reading in democratic theory.

Any society that glorifies penises or uses phallic images to represent good spirits is good in my book

How to find transcendent values in democracy.

Rajani,

The Nepali situation in Bhutan would be an excellent topic for a documentary. It is the country's "dirty little secret". I learned about the problem when I was in Bhutan ten years ago. Nepalis were stuck with undesireable jobs such as patching the roadways. Entire Nepali families, including small children, were camped by the side of the main east-west highway making repairs with primitive equipment. We also spoke with an international aid worker who described the conditions in the southern lowlands: a heavy Bhutanese military presence, with little public services or education. I wish the King had resolved the situation before the transition to democracy.

I'm so disapointed that this show didn't do a better job of showing how awful the Bhutanese government has been to the Nepali minority. Nepali people are treated as second class citizens while they are judging 'gross national happiness' ???! They are leaving out the voice of so many immigrants.... I hope to see a show on this dichotomy...

this was great and eye opening as well, thanks

Great video! Thanks Vanguard & Christof. Being involved in the travel industry, videos like this make our lives a lot easier. Distinguishing between westernization & modernization, juggling development priorities & balancing economic prosperity & spiritual well-being is indeed a challenge as Globalization continues to knock hard on the door....more so with democracy. Vested interests (money power) is inevitable in the future & a poison. Like any other country that offers better living standard, immigration is one issue Bhutan is also having to deal with. Awareness (both people within & abroad), & Education is important. GNH is a remedy. Have a great day!

well it was a very good clip....but some people whom he had interviewed had said that its all because of television but the fact is that modernization is inevitable with country like India and China as our neighbors...modernization was inevitable...but at any given day if people were to choose between monarchy and democracy....monarchy will have landslide victory over democracy....even though democracy tooo was inevitable..it is not fair for us to say anything about this government for it had just celebrated its anniversary so by this time next year the people of Bhutan are waiting to see the results of this new government...

i'm kind of blown away. I always loved the Bhutanese flag but didn't know anything else about Bhutan. Vanguard, you all are amazing.

Sounds like pot and tv ruined perfection. Wait till they watch SuperNews.

One of my favorite Vanguard clips.

Hi there,

A very well-made programme. And being a Bhutanese, I can very well understand the importance of such programmes in educating outsiders about the many beautiful and sacred aspects of Bhutan that we cherish and hold dear. As someone studying abroad, I have come to learn that not many people can point out that Bhutan is in Asia in the first place.

We have taken a major step in history with the democratic elections earlier this year. And just a few weeks back, while the world was glued to the elections in the US, we celebrated the coronation of our fifth king, which also saw one of the largest ever gathering of foreign media personnel in the capital city. This year also marks the 100 yrs of monarchy and celebrations are going on. It will reach a high on the 17 of December.

And apart from the wall paintings of the phallus, it is also common to have elaborate and ornate carvings of wooden phalluses, hanging down the four corners of traditional Bhutanese houses. My parent's house back in the village still boasts a red shining 2 foot wooden one hanging down from one of the roof corners, and to top it up, it also has a traditional sword, worn across its back. I know, to most westerners, they cut a very peculiar figure. I recall an incidence where an American lady, seeing those objects hanging down house roofs from afar, asked her guide as to why Bhutanese people have small toy airplanes dangling down their house walls!

thanks for the pod!! simply amazin!!

i really enjoyed the pod. ...i have watched this pod quite a few times now. i am just in awe at the effects of westernization, it is not good...

i think we should maybe apply National Gross Happiness.. it is brilliant!!

Wow! This pod is sooo great!!! Penises on walls, pigs munching up pot, Gross National Happiness and educating about democracy in just a few months!! I have to go there!

I've never looked at democracy in that kind of way before. I think they are rigtht about some of the flaws that is has. But at the end of the video I think they are capable of having a successful democracy and preserving culture. I especially like the idea of gross national happiness.

Thanks for the coverage!

excellent! thankyou so much for making this~*

I go to utep and are campus looks like bhutanesse tempels. And many students are from bhutan and I have ate food from bhutan . it was sweet yellow rice with raisions. nice people cool language too.

Democracy

i'm comfounded by what is democracy...
is it strict attraction to
an oasis from the dregs of anarchy?
we climb mountains to reach it,
entertain our norm around it,
preach and divulge the unlearnt with it,
consecrate and make blood pacts
just to show our value system is based on
this...
theory...

a concept of man,
where voices are represented
and truth uttered from a majority...

but it baffles me,
when democracy is the means,
and not the end...
where the destination is no longer factored
and the fogs of humanity's bane
blooms to retard the process...
seeding greed and corruption,
and insatiable need to want more,
more liberty than others,
more livelihood than others,
more happiness than others...

in the end,
it begets only the inevitable:
for which all humans are equal,
but some are more equal than others

to say what is right and wrong
to say there's perfection on shattered ground
to say this while the beholder's eyes are closed...

i can't but imagine democracy
as nothing more than a religion,
a faith,
a mechanism for the process...
while the real goal,
the eventuality and truth
is clouded and maimed...
hoping keen eyes throws a lifeline,
over the pretentious present

Truly a magical place. Whether or not democracy will work for them is up to them. However, it is always not the answer either if what they have is what they want. Democracy should be wanted by the people to be a success. India has democracy and has poverty, pollution, and nukes while Bhutan has Gross National Happiness... I suppose we shall see. I wish them well. Again, another great job and informative pod from Current Vanguard.

this was probably the best pod i've seen so far...

but it makes me real sad...yes democracy should be upheld, but democracy also entails the dregs of society....

democracy is freedom
but democracy is greed
democracy makes you think your special
while stomping on others rights
democracy can be liberation,
but it also can be revolution...

happiness is what these people seek,
to remain true to who they are,
and seek not the futility of inevitability,
that change which swept so many nations
unto the deepest crevices of the carpet...

i really hope that their politics become influence
with their will to struggle for ultimate happiness,
and not their will to imitate others...

RZ

As usual, another excellent pod by the Vangaurd team ^_^

I found it interesting that their society was so full of peace and happiness, yet they too were sucked into violent television...

...and the penis grafitti was hilarious!

That was great, the Vanguard stories are always so good. I love watching them, this is real reporting in my opinion.

I kind of wish they were staying with Monarchy. It seems like in the US we assume that Democracy is the only way to have a good country because that is the way we have it. But maybe Democracy isnt the only way to have a great country, or maybe it isnt even a way, maybe our way isnt so great. They sure seemed pretty happy with their Kings thus far, do they really need democracy and MTV comng into their country? I have mixed feelings.

-B

Wow! The moment I heard about their policy of "Gross National Happiness", it made me want to pack up my things and move there (to Bhutan). More world leaders should take a cue from the Bhutanese king when it comes to putting the happiness and well-being of their citizens above all else. Also, it shows what a wise and insightful man the king must be, knowing that another king may have come along in the future who may not be as benevolent. How many men would voluntarily relinquish all that power and love from their people, for their people's own good? Not many in the West, I can tell you that.
I was also moved and dismayed by the apparent "bad influence" the introduction of television has played. This is something I've long suspected about the effects of TV in out own culture.
All in all, a fascinating and informative piece. I never would have known about this story had it not been for Current TV. Bravo!

Nice work. Im going to try the penis warding off evil spirit thing.

This was one of the most wonderful stories I've watched in a long time. It was beautifully shot and managed to capture so much heart and fear at the same time. It’s a true testament to the human condition. Bravo Current!

Their King is a very wise and unselfish man for visualizing that the better path for these people is through democracy...Imagine someone of power giving that up for the people...talking to you, King Geoge...

I love the music in this video...we can learn from these people as they can learn from us...

I dreamed about all that pot, after seeing this video...and woke up naturally high...

i like this story...it's educating. we westerners wonder what we would do w/OUT democratic ideals, it's what we've always known. and while it's important for everyman to have a voice, have we lost a sense cultural values? really really well done!

Christof, thanks for bringing this and joy into our lives.

I believe that these people move as one. they are so united as to have a 70% turnout in their very first election...that's amazing. In Bhutan, if they can manage to keep a handle on where they are in the world and the history of the world, they may very well preserve the unique cultural richness that is so much a part of their everyday life. The ritualistic festive nature of their society is one they should never let go of, even with the event of their fast track modernization...I hope they find the ultimate solution and I wish them eternal happiness...

Superb - thought provoking and informative. Well done!

i really loved this pod, its amazing to learn about these people that we'd likely never get the chance to see first hand. the "wall paintings" for good luck were particularly interesting!!

teknight, i am on the exact same page as you. It is a very difficult balancing act to negotiate millenia-old unique cultural values with the inevitable arrival of "Western" culture, yet one has to do it. I personally think this idea of "Gross National Happiness" is so beautiful and really gets to the heart of why societies need to preserve aspects of their own culture - because happiness is attained through varying cultural means yet is an ultimate good that EVERYONE strives to attain, as opposed to the gross domestic product, which is a goal of capitalist societies alone. In influencing other cultures, we must understand that fundamental values of community, sharing, peace, environmental protection, are not necessarily conducive to GDP growth and we need to respect that.

As much as I believe in Democracy, and support its ideals, I think this is a prime example of why it doesn't always work in the best interests of every society. Western society is molded around the development of Democracy, but for many other cultures, with vastly different ways of life, it isn't really a feasible form of government. My grandparents were fortunate enough to travel to Bhutan several years ago, and I am glad, because they got to see what very well may be the last vestiges of the Bhutanese culture. While the lengths to which the Bhutanese government goes to maintain a cultural homogeneity may seem authoritarian and outdated to some, I recognize that, like many cultures, that of Bhutan is giving way, slowly but surely, to the pervasive Western culture that seems to find itself everywhere. As an anthropologist, it pains me greatly to see a society and its customs die, especially one as unique and pristine as Bhutan, but I also realize that, in the passage of time, all cultures change, and, for the Bhutanese people, this is is a challenge they will have to face. I only hope that they, in some way, can manage to merge their traditional culture with the new American and Western elements that have insinuated themselves into their Kingdom. Otherwise, they will no doubt end up tearing themselves apart.

Awesome. Insightful. Kind of poetic. Loved the kid playing his electric guitar in the end ...
Thanks!

loved the perspective of this story. this story really touched me. thank you.

The people's story captured my heart. Their voices tell the tale of a culture on the brink of change. Heaven's Door is knocking on Bhutan. Thank you to all who told this story. The images, photography, and reporting all weave together a quite memorable and informative story.

Free Tibet..... Free Bhutan could be in the offing in the near future. The elections were an eye washer to the international media, The whole affair was planned and fixed to a T. There are many qualified candidates who are now jobless, and could take support from the near Communist regime of West Bengal to form a CPB in the next round.

Nice work, Christof. I like a lot of things about this pod. First, I liked the mix of soundbytes at the beginning of people talking that kinda teases you into wondering what it's all going to be about. Bhutan is so visually rich. The architecture there was impressive to say the least. It was difficult for me to fathom that people could be so upset about getting the privilege to vote, but after seeing how television changed their culture I'm not so surprised! Christof does a great job (as always) of getting in there (even with a "street gang") and getting to the core of the issues, but I would've liked to see how people feel about "the international problem"-- the 100,000 refugees who were forced to flee the country.

hey indiegrow no biggie but It is not that people can't understand sarcasm on the Internet. I knew it was sarcasm but said what i did to elicit a response and point out that there is no body language or other modifying inflections in the written word thus point blank statements are not as amusing as they would otherwise be. one needs to understand that when commenting on the Internet.

very well done. thanks for the content and the visuals. excellent job. Gross National Happiness is such a great way to gauge success!!! yay. but underneath is a growing awareness that exporting democracy is a tricky business and that globalization changes things forever. no going back. so in reality "we" are exporting a lot of negative stuff along with the freedom. nonetheless, voter turnout in Bhutan made me (as an American) envious. good for them!!

this is amazing. just incredible work. i feel better as a human-being knowing about the struggles of diverse peoples around the world. thank you for this.

@ commoneagle

The tv comment was definitely sarcastic. I tend to forget that you can't understand sarcasm on the internet. I thought it was interesting that tv has a huge influence on their culture, just like in the US.

This pod was very well done. These pods have opened me to new cultures and issues that are informative and entertaining. Christof did nice work and asked great questions.

Gross National Happiness.....We could definetly use a big Dose of that here in the west It seems to me that Bhutan is gonna pull it back together.......Can we do the same ? Gross National Happiness...........spread the word! Thanx Christof that was the most interesting,educational and real podcast I've come across thus far

very well done. It made me think. I taught me about the people of a place I never knew of. It not only informed but kept me entertained. I might mention about a coment made by dontslowmedown89!! are you trying to be sarcastic or do you really think getting rid of tv would do any good? I feel sarcastic vibs from your coment and don't think it is very apropreate. this was a fine production!

This was riveting. Very eye opening. I turned it on and was planning to watch for a moment and could not get away from the TV. It exposed a world that I would never have known existed and such an interesting view of a monarchy.

Thanks for helping contribute to my Gross National Happiness

This was an excellent pod! So informative. It's awesome to see the voting process actually being utilized in other countries. What these people feared they learned to accept. What a lesson to be learned.

The genie is out of the bottle. You embrace western self-rule, you embrace it's dogma as well. However,Daniel Goleman's book could be a very useful tool to help the new parliment. Long live gross national happiness!

Brilliant video, definitely what makes Current worthwhile. Hope to see more stuff like this!

If we removed TV, America's problems would be fixed. Problem solved.

I like the idea of Gross National Happiness, money is certainly not the best way of measuring the well being of a country or an individual.

OMG Thank you so much current tv for this one. This is a slice of the world I would have never known about if not for you. This piece was truly amazing! I truly feel as if I'm becoming more of a world citizen now. I know a little more about democracy in foreign lands; I learned there is another way to measure the the progress of a country; and I learned that all dictators aren't selfish and hated by their people. Thak you so very much!

Excellent job! I visited Bhutan in 1999, and it's interesting to see how things have changed since then. Nine years ago, you rarely saw people in non-native dress.

Glad you covered the "international issue", which doesn't get much attention. I'd love to see more reporting on that topic, if it's possible to do so.