Bhutan reluctantly embraces democracy

Bhutan reluctantly embraces democracy by Somini Sengupta

THIMPHU, Bhutan: Can "Desperate Housewives," free trade and multiparty elections deliver happiness?

The people of Bhutan, the tiny Buddhist nation once known as the hermit kingdom of the Himalayas, pondered these questions this weekend, as they undertook a sort of fire drill for democracy and set down an important marker on their carefully ordered journey toward modernity.

King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who recently announced his plan to abdicate, has ordered parliamentary elections for next year. In preparation for the real thing, more than 125,000 Bhutanese citizens participated Saturday in what the government called "mock elections," lining up at polling booths across the country and choosing from four "dummy" political parties: Druk Blue, Druk Green, Druk... Read more...

International Herald Tribune
Monday, April 23, 2007