Politics of Bhutan
The Government of Bhutan has been a constitutional monarchy since 18 July 2008. The
The
Sovereignty
Bhutanese external relations and foreign policies were put under British control following the 1910 Treaty of Punakha. However, due to the policy of self-imposed isolationism, the effect of the treaty was limited to an extent.[3] After Indian independence in 1949, Bhutan and India agreed to a ten-article, perpetual treaty which effectively continued the relationship, but with India replacing the United Kingdom. India agreed not to interfere in Bhutan's internal relations, while Bhutan agreed "to be guided by the advice of the Government of India in regard to its external relations" (Article 2). The treaty also established free trade and full extradition between the two countries.[4]
In February 2007, the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty was substantially revised with all references to phrases such as "will be guided" deleted, thus eliminating the last lingering doubts about the sovereign and independent status of Bhutan.[5]
Branches of government
The
The trichotomy of secular government is not absolute. There are many independent commissions, agencies, and institutions that operate outside this general framework, such as the
Executive branch
Office | Name | Party | Since |
---|---|---|---|
King | Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck
|
9 December 2006 | |
Prime Minister
|
Lotay Tshering | Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa | 7 November 2018 |
Bhutan's
The Je Khenpo is the highest religious official of Bhutan and head of the Dratshang Lhentshog (Monastic Affairs Commission).[6] He is typically viewed as the closest and most powerful advisor to the King of Bhutan. The 70th and present Je Khenpo is Jigme Chhoeda.
Bhutan's
In 1998, the monarch's
Legislative branch
Bhutan elects its legislative branch through
Prior to 2008, the legislative branch was the unicameral
Political parties and elections
In Bhutan, political parties, elections, and referendums are overseen by the Election Commission, an independent government regulatory agency.[6][9]
Candidates for most elections and appointments in Bhutan must be non-partisan; however, political parties may slate candidates for seats in the
Political pressure groups include the Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant anti-government campaign; Indian merchant community and the exiled United Front for Democracy.
Judicial branch
Bhutan's legal system is based on codes established by
Before 2008 in the Bhutanese
Legal system
The criminal justice system is based on trial before a panel of judges, and therefore resembles more the Napoleonic than the British or American adversarial systems. The prosecutor, a government employee, seeks to obtain an acknowledgement of culpability from the accused. If this happens quickly, the sentencing may be lenient. If culpability is obvious but the accused refuses to admit to it, the sentence may be correspondingly severe. Judges may dismiss the case for lack of proof at any time. Recent legislation defines required proof of guilt more closely, providing increased protection against trivial or mistaken charges. Minor criminal offences may be tried by the dzongkhag Drangpon (District Judge).
Bhutan has not accepted compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction.
Administrative divisions
Bhutan is divided in 20 districts (.
International organization participation
Bhutan is member of the
See also
Further reading
- William J. Long. 2019. Tantric State: A Buddhist Approach to Democracy and Development in Bhutan. Oxford University Press.
References
- New York Times. Retrieved 2007-04-24.
- ^ "Democracy Index 2022: Frontline democracy and the battle for Ukraine" (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit. 2023. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
- ^ Varvaloucas, Emma. "Bhutan on the Brink". Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
- ISBN 1-85743-133-2.
- ^ Amrit Baruah (2007-03-07). "Bhutan no longer to be guided by India on foreign affairs". AFPA News online. The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
- ^ Government of Bhutan. 2008-07-18. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-03-02.
- Government of Bhutan. 2009-09-11. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
- Government of Bhutan. 2005. Archived from the original(PDF) on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2011-03-16.
- Government of Bhutan. 2008-07-28. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
- ^ This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. Robert L. Worden (September 1991). Andrea Matles Savada (ed.). Bhutan: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. Legal System.