Evolution of Bhutan: Transition from Absolute Monarchy to Parliamentary Democracy

Starting in the early 1960s, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk initiated a comprehensive program aimed at overhauling Bhutan's economy and its semi-feudal social structure. This endeavor involved the construction of new roads and hospitals, along with the establishment of secular schools as an alternative to monastic education. The transformation of the social fabric began with the abolition of slavery, curbing practices like Bhutia polyandry and Nepalese polygamy, and a moderate relaxation of royal governance. While there were structural changes in Bhutan's government institutions, the king maintained a strong grip on political affairs. Periods of political instability emerged, notably in 1964, when the prime minister was assassinated during a political dispute, and in 1965, when there was an unsuccessful assassination attempt on the king himself. The 1970s marked a limited opening to tourism, and in 1971, Bhutan ended its political isolation by joining the United Nations.

In 1972, 16-year-old Jigme Singye Wangchuk succeeded his father as king. The new king reaffirmed the treaty with India and sought to improve relations with China. Jigme Singye Wangchuk continued the reform and development efforts initiated by his father, channeling resources into infrastructure, education, and healthcare while striving to preserve Bhutan's rich cultural heritage and pristine natural environment. In 1988, Bhutan implemented a national policy that mandated strict adherence to Buddhist traditions. Bhutanese of Nepalese descent, who made up a significant portion of the population and were primarily Hindu, perceived this policy as an attempt to suppress their culture. This led to violent protests and ethnic tensions, resulting in the migration of thousands of Bhutanese of Nepalese origin to Nepal. The government of Bhutan claimed that many of them had resided in the country illegally. By the early 1990s, it was estimated that approximately 100,000 Nepalese from Bhutan were residing in refugee camps in Nepal, and efforts to resolve the refugee issue between the governments of Bhutan and Nepal had not yet yielded a final agreement.

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Simultaneously, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk took steps to democratize Bhutan. In the late 1990s, he relinquished absolute authority and shared power with the Council of Ministers, whose chair effectively served as the prime minister. The king also encouraged the Tshogdu (Bhutan's national assembly) to adopt a provision that allowed the assembly to call for a vote of confidence on the monarch and potentially require abdication. Furthermore, extensive efforts were made to draft a written constitution for Bhutan and open the kingdom to the free exchange of ideas. In 1999, the government lifted bans on television broadcasting and granted citizens access to the Internet.

By the early 21st century, Bhutan had made significant strides toward embracing democracy and shedding its historical isolation across various dimensions, including geography, politics, economics, society, and technology. The abdication of the king in 2006, in favor of his politically progressive son, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, accelerated this process. By the end of 2007, Bhutan had conducted its first-ever direct elections for the National Council, the upper house of a new bicameral parliament. Subsequent elections in March 2008 for the National Assembly, the lower house, marked the completion of the transition to a democratic system.

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Over the following decade, both democracy and economic development experienced significant growth and success. While the refugee crisis remained unresolved, Bhutan continued to expand political participation and held competitive elections every five years. The country achieved rapid economic growth and virtually eradicated extreme poverty. Progress in democratic institutions and economic development was reinforced by various successful initiatives, including a substantial increase in school enrollment and youth literacy.

Much of Bhutan's progress was facilitated by India's interest and investment, given Bhutan's strategic significance as a buffer between India and China. This strategic importance was highlighted in 2017 when a standoff occurred between Indian and Chinese troops in a plateau claimed by both countries, as well as by Bhutan. The standoff was triggered when Bhutan detected Chinese workers attempting to construct a road on the plateau, prompting India to deploy troops to the area. The standoff persisted for two months, with both India and China eventually withdrawing their forces, although both countries bolstered their military presence in the region afterward.