Bhutan is an Asian country, as big as Switzerland, enclosed between India and Tibet and which counts 700000 inhabitants. This state, for a long time unknown by the occidental world was confounded with Tibet until the end of the XVIIIth century. The ties between these two territories are really strong, because they do have in common the Buddhist religion, which is running their every day life. The main trade partner from Bhutan is India (94% of its exchanges), to whom the “country of the Dragon” sells notably its hydroelectric production left over. The geography of this country is particularly rich since the south is dominated by the dense Bengal forests, although the way to the north is a climbing of stairs which culminate at more than 7000 meters. Former theocracy, Bhutan becomes a monarchy in 1907 with the arrival on the throne of the Wangchuck dynasty. The Bhutanese people are particularly attached to theirs monarchs ,who have known how to preserve the national independence, firstly from colonization (the British protectorate from 1910 to 1949 was very light), then from their powerful neighbours (India and China). The economical policy lead by this state for more than 50 years shakes the occidental principles of development: the Bhutan has known begun its modernization while keeping its traditions. This is illustrated by the joined learning at school from Dzongkha (the language of the national identity), and English (symbol of the opening to the world). The country became a member of the UN in 1971, thanks to its 3rd king: Jigme Dorji Wabgchuck. Soon after his accession to the throne in 1952, he decided to change the society so as to get connected with the world. The father of the modern Bhutan created a national assembly, abolished servitude, shared the lands and employed loads of public workers, notably in the health and education departments, which constitute today the first domain of public expenses. This evolution is not detrimental to the environment, which remain a permanent worry of the Bhutanese. A commission watches over the protection of the animals and the preservation of the forests, which cover 72% of the territory (64% in 1960). Mass tourism is not encouraged, contrarily to its Himalayan neighbours. In 2006, only 16000 foreigners have been able to visit the country, which prefers to favour a tourism of quality with the establishment of a journey tax equal to 170 euros per day. Bhutan still owns the second most important GDP of Asia behind Sri Lanka. The country of the Dragon cultivates its originality with the creation of a wider indicator than the traditional economical ones: the Gross Domestic Happiness. This indicator takes into account the economical sustainable development, the conservation and the promotion of the Bhutanese culture, the environmental protection, and the good responsible governing. The modernization of the country was pursued in the nineties with the development of the news communication means (Internet and cable TV in 1999), and the institutional reforms. The 4th king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck decided in 1998 to abandon his functions as chief of the executive. He remained the head of the state until November 2006, when he decided to abdicate in favour of his son. A draft constitution must enter into force in 2008 so as to transform the state into a parliamentary monarchy. The country has shown a big stability during the XXth century, troubled recently by the expelling of a part of the hundred of thousand of Nepalese people having fled their territory because of the Maoist rebellion. Moreover, the Bhutanese army has had to intervene in 2003 to expel from the south of the country the assaimese Indian rebels, who were there. The managing of these crises is very important for the independence and the credit of Thimphu (the capital of the state). Bhutan, real geo-political miracle, evolves but does not change; it is modernizing since 50 years while keeping its traditions and respecting the environment: maybe a model to follow for some countries…
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