ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the role of Bhutan’s civil society against the background of the unique development philosophy—“Gross National Happiness (GNH)”—promoted by the state since the 1970s, and now permeating all levels of Bhutan’s socio-political structure. Okuma-Nyström claims that the close collaboration between the government and civil society organizations (CSOs) is one of the characteristics of civil society in Bhutan. The government recognizes the competencies of CSOs in such areas as sustainable rural development and nature conservation.
