Our formal activities in Bhutan began with an introduction to the National Assembly. We were met by the Director of the Assembly in the magnificent interior chamber of the Assembly, where the Members of Parliament meet. Bhutan has had a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy since 2008. The country was ruled for over 200 years by various regional governors (penlops). In 1907, the penlops ended a period of unrest by electing Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck, one of the penlops, to be the first king of a hereditary monarchy. In the 1950s the 3rd king of Bhutan began the country's journey toward democracy. He gradually established government agencies and committees, setting up branches of the government similar to that of the U.S. (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial). With the early death of the Third King his son became the Fourth King at the young age of 17 and continued to nurture democracy in the country. Most notably he established district governors similar to the county government systems in the U.S. and 2001 tasked the National Assembly with drafting a constitution. To do this the King traveled to each district speaking with the locals asking what they wanted for their constitution.
In 2008, the King handed their government over to the people by signing the Constitution and establishing the arrangement they have today.
What I found most interesting about the National Assembly (legislative branch) is the seating of each representative in the government. The assembly hall is set up in a horseshoe, with representatives arranged alphabetically despite party alignment so that no party is facing another in a combative manner, similarly representatives are not allowed to address one other instead they must speak to the National Assembly Speaker. This arrangement removes the combative nature of partisan government and instead promotes working together for a common goal.
Suyin D
Comments