Vanuatu and Bhutan in Comparative Perspective
by Alex
This weekend I moderated a panel at a conference. One of the speakers there was one of the guys who is responsible for helping to measure Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (that’s what it’s called). There are a lot of Hawaii-Bhutan connections, and it occurred to me that Bhutan has a lot in common with another country that seems to have more than its fair share of entanglements with Honolulu: Vanuatu. Both countries are pursuing nationalist, cultural agendas which are both extremely traditional in aspiration but also very modern in their form — they are concerned with custom, but also extremely modern. Indeed, in a world where people wish for or describe the hypothetical possibilities of an indigenized modernity, these two places seem to be going for it whole hog, and with a fair bit of success.
Which is why I want to teach a course comparing Bhutan and Vanuatu, two countries that are superficially extremely different but also have a good deal of similarities. To get an ‘H’ focus on the course (something that makes it attractive to students here) I’d discuss how work done in both countries relates to the Hawaiian renaissance. Now would that be a cool course or what?
That would indeed be a cool course.
Bhutan today reminds me of Meiji Japan in many ways, and is struggling with many of the same issues. It is, besides, just a beautiful and fascinating culture in any case, and I am always sure to keep an eye out for news out of Bhutan as they continue this project of modernizing in a controlled way, while maintaining their traditions and national & cultural identity.
The issue of tradition vs modernity is relevant to a great many times & places – nearly anywhere in the world. Could be a really cool course. If only I could fit it into my schedule…