Information and Communications Technology and Gross National Happiness: Who Serves Whom?

Abstract

The concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) is a uniquely indigenous expression of aspirations for government and development activity in Bhutan. Starting from a brief examination of the accepted definitions of GNH and information and communications technology(ICT), this paper will focus on the potential positive and negative impacts of ICT on the defined components of GNH. It will then discuss some more general issues of the nature and impact of ICT, including ICT impact on labour issues, the relationship between ICT and innovation, and openness. The paper argues that ICT is a powerful engine for accelerating development, but that care needs to be taken in determining the direction and implementation of ICT usage, to ensure GNH determines the implementation of ICT, not the other way around.