SDA # 6: To vote or not to vote? Is democracy inevitable?

http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10907641
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/24/world/main3960942.shtml
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/world/asia/25bhutan.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=bhutan&st=nyt&oref=slogin

One of my favorite countries to read about is the little, unknown Asian monarchy of Bhutan. Located in NE Asia, this land lives without advertisement, incredible health care and a most interesting education system that declares Gross National Happiness as their guiding principle. Unfortunately for travelers, it is guarded by high tourist tariffs that make any backpacker cringe at the thought of forking over thousands of dollars for even the most unique locations. The country is ruled by a king in a constitutional monarchy and its first ever election's goal was to change the country to a DEMOCRATIC constitutional monarchy.

Bhutan recently had their first elections ever with an 82% turn out rate as noted by the referenced Economist article. So, why the need for a social voting mechanism in a country who questioned the need for such a system fearing voting as the gateway drug for corruption? Well, simply put: it is whatever once else is doing and so I guess we should as well.

Voting, elections, and free speech have won the global ideology game and the smart folk like King Jigme Singye Wangchuck realize that there are two options: either get everyone on board to vote that they like their country just the way it is as a force field from the judgemental west who will quickly join with the 3% of the country who is dissatisfied with the current rule. The country ranks in the top 10% on the world Happiness index and so to protect a country sometimes the way to go is to invest in the way the outside world views approval (for the people, by the people) so that unwanted attention stays away.