第一篇Gross NationalHappinessIn the last century, new technologyimproved the lives of many

第一篇Gross NationalHappiness

In the last century, new technologyimproved the lives of many people in many countries. However,one countryresisted these changes. High in the Himalayan mountains of Asia, the kingdom of Bhutan remained separate. Its people andBuddhist(佛教)culture had not been affected for almost a thousand years. Bhutan,however, was a poor country. People died at a young age. Most of its peoplecould not read, and they did not know much about the outside world. Then, in 1972,a new ruler named King Jigme Singye Wangchuck decided to help Bhutan tobecome modern, but without losing its traditions.

King Wangchuck looked at other countriesfor ideas. He saw that most countries measured their progress by their GrossNational Product (GNP). The GNP measures products and money. When the number ofproducts sold increases, people say the country

is making progress. KingWangchuck had a different idea for Bhutan. He wanted to measure hiscountry’s progress by people’s happiness. If the people’s happiness increased,the king could say that Bhutanwas making progress. To decide if people were happier, he created a measurecalled Gross National Happiness (GNH).

GNH is based on certain principles thatcreate happiness. People are happier if they have health care, education, andjobs. They are happier when they live in a healthy, protected environment. They are happier when they can keep their traditional culture and customs. Finally, people are happier when they have a good, stable government.

Now there is some evidence of increasedGNH in Bhutan.People are healthier and are living longer. More people are educated andemployed. Teenty-five percent of the land has become national parks, and thecountry has almost no pollution. The Bhutanese continue to wear theirtraditional clothing and follow their ancient Buddhist customs. Bhutan has alsobecome a democracy. In 2008, King Wangchuck gave his power to his son. Althoughthe country still had a king,it held its first democratic elections that year.Bhutanhad political parties and political candidates for the first time. Finally, Bhutan hasconnected to the rest of the world through television and internet.

Bhutan is a symbol for social progress. Many countries are now interested in Bhutan’s GNH.These countries are investigating their own ways to measure happiness. Theywant to create new policies that take care of their people, cultures, and land.

Brazilmay be the nest country to use the principles of GNH. Brazilian leaders see theprinciples of GNH as a source of inspiration. Brazil is a large country with adiverse population. If happiness works as a measure of progress in Brazil, perhapsthe rest of the world will follow.

Who was Jigme Singye Wangchuck？

A. Apresident.

B. A Buddhistpriest.

C. A king.

D. A general.