The royal semi-authoritarian democracy of Bhutan
Author(s)
Bibliographic Information
The royal semi-authoritarian democracy of Bhutan
Lexington Books, c2015
- : cloth
Available at / 3 libraries
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Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto Universityグローバル専攻
: clothCOE-SA200031084250
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Library, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization図
: clothASBT||321.6||R11889391
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Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 373-394) and index
Description and Table of Contents
Description
The book puts into plain words a changing dimension of politics in a traditional regime and offers an insight into the emerging transition to royal, semi-authoritarian democracy in Bhutan. Bhutan represents a political system which coalesces the rhetorical acquiescence of democracy with illiberal authoritarian attributes under the former royalist shadow. Royal democracy is a myth and only paints the frontage of democracy. The smokescreen of this kind of authoritarian regime is not yet democracy but is instead a new form of semi-authoritarian rule.
The political reforms in Bhutan were orchestrated by the "traditional regime and elites in a traditional society" as a tightly controlled, top-down process without devolution of power outside the regime. Royal Democracy can best be understood as an attempt to construct a political regime that impersonates democratic institutions but works outside the logic of political representation and seeks to repress any vestige of genuine political pluralism. Exploring the authoritarian logic behind the democratic rhetoric is especially important for Bhutan, which is today glorified by the UN as "The Mecca of Gross National Happiness" and depicted by many as a model of top down democracy on popular media and in academia.
Holding State controlled elections alone does not create a cure for deeper political, economic, and social predicaments besetting Bhutan and does not create a solid foundation for democratic transition. The glitter of royal, semi-authoritarian democracy is a "Jigmecracy," an old Jigme's system with new labels, a classic case of transition from a traditional regime in a traditional society.
Table of Contents
Chapters Page No
Introduction: Understanding the Contours of Democracy, Methodology and Structure
Chapter One
Social Structures, Historical Background, Regime Typology, and Economic Landscape of Bhutan
Chapter Two
A Perspective on the Wind of Political Dissents, Democratic Struggles and Mobilizing Resistance to Authoritarian Royal Regime
Chapter Three
State Repression, Social Control and Civil Resistance
Chapter Four
The Mirages of Royal Semi Authoritarian Jigmecracy without Democratization
Chapter Five
The Politics behind the Curtain of Royal Democracy
Chapter Six
Rhetoric of Monarchical Liberalization: Cautionary Notes on Democratic Prospects
Chapter Seven
Balancing Defense of Higher Universal Values and Interests: The Shift of India's Approach to Democracy Promotion
Chapter Eight
Restructuring New Democratic Architecture from Wheels of Monarchy and Conservative Elites to Webs of Bhutanese Citizens
by "Nielsen BookData"