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Yes, the principles of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) have been directly linked to both the Social Progress Index and the Degrowth movement.
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1. GNH and Degrowth - Better Growth
GNH is widely recognized as a living alternative to GDP-driven development and is closely aligned with Degrowth principles. Both frameworks:
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Reject endless economic growth as a measure of progress.
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Prioritize ecological sustainability, social equity, and well-being over GDP.
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Emphasize qualitative aspects of life such as leisure, care work, and spiritual fulfillment.
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Advocate for human progress within planetary boundaries.
Academic research highlights GNH as a practical, real-world example of a degrowth-oriented society, where national policy centers on holistic well-being rather than material consumption.
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2. GNH and Social Progress Index
While not identical, GNH shares core objectives with the Social Progress Index (SPI), which measures a country’s performance on social and environmental outcomes independent of economic indicators. Both:
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Assess well-being across multiple dimensions (e.g., health, education, environment, inclusion).
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Use composite indices with qualitative and quantitative indicators.
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Aim to guide policy beyond GDP.
However, GNH is more deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy and includes unique domains like psychological well-being and cultural resilience, making it more culturally specific than the globally benchmarked SPI.