GNP (Gross National Product) or GNH (Gross National Happiness)

Monday, July 22, 2013

Nowadays, it has been commented that in the last twenty years almost one billion people “have left from the extreme poverty threshold." 

Other one billion are living in conditions of great poverty... and most of those born will be in areas of great precariousness. 

However, investment of huge amounts on military expenditures and arms will continue because “security comes first." 

China is the main protagonist of these "advances”... but what does “free from poverty” mean"? It is to ensure that there are no deaths from starving? It is necessary to repeat over and over again to the powerful that it is not about the right to life ... but to have a dinified life, so that all human beings can thoroughly exercise the distinctive faculties -think, imagine, anticipate, create!- of our human species. 

It is, therefore, urgent to transit from the GNP, so well known by the most prosperous, in whose hands the GNP is concentrated in a considerable extent, to the GIH, in other words, from the "gross inner product", in monetary and commercial terms, to the "inner happiness”, in a context of peaceful coexistence, without intolerable inequalities and asymmetries, in which everyone can be "free and responsible", as stated in the incomparable definition of education enshrined in Article 1 of the UNESCO’s Constitution. 

To this effect, the following transitions are necessary: 

- From a world governance by plutocratic groups (G7, G8...) of a neoliberal design, based on the laws of the market, to a re-founded United Nations, based on universal “democratic principles”. 

- From an economy of speculation, delocalization of production and war to a global economy of sustainable and human development, taking care of the major global priorities: food, water, health, environment, education, peace. 

- From a culture of imposition, domination and violence to a culture of dialogue, reconciliation, alliance and peace. 

- From force to word. 

The formula of GIH instead of GNP is being tested in Bhutan and in some States of Brazil. 

In a few years, it will be a reality because these related will be less every time and those in favour of the GIH will increase. Because, peacefully but firmly, “the peoples” can now express themselves freely. Because, in the cyberspace, the mobilization of those who as John Lennon’s want the GIH, want to be happy and not, even if they are fed, vassals of a system that imply being simple numbers, anonymous and invisible consumers and workers, will be unstoppable. 

In a few years, let the GNP die and long live to GIH!

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