Chapter 27: A Society In Change

T he last time we were in Bhutan it was just two days after the first democratic general election—an amazing event in which a huge proportion of the population voted for the first time and returned a massive vote in favour of one party, who were now bustling in the exciting challenge of naming Ministers and forming a first popular government. Almost everyone was talking about the event, had an opinion to share, and almost everybody was visibly proud of their country’s rapid and peaceful change-over to democratic government. This move was even more remarkable as it was the king who had been hugely instrumental in pushing and persuading his citizens to embrace democracy, much against the better judgement of many, who vociferously preferred to remain a feudal monarchy. Although the build-up to the general election had been long and deliberate, the election itself was smooth, and ensured a transition, in the course of one day, that ushered Bhutan into the community of 21st century democratic nations.