As students of literature, we often took pride in discussing Plato’s Philosopher Kings. We would challenge others by asking if they understood the essence of a Philosopher King, and then draw parallels with His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
It was in this spirit that I found myself in conversation with Colonel Karma Phuntshok of the Royal Bhutan Police, both juxtaposing the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Plato’s Philosopher King. As people shaped by literature and philosophy, we had much to say.
One of the central themes of our dialogue was the timeless wisdom embodied in His Majesty’s words and deeds, the immortal declaration, “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product.” This stood at the heart of our discussion. However, we sought out other similar quotes and this came in mind. “The welfare and happiness of our people are the true measure of a nation’s progress. Economic growth alone is meaningless if it does not improve the quality of life, nurture culture, protect the environment, and ensure the well-being of every citizen.”
The vision embedded in these words was nothing short of extraordinary. Just as Plato, in The Republic, envisioned the Philosopher King as a ruler guided by wisdom, virtue, and knowledge of the Good—placing the well-being of the state above personal ambition—we saw in our King a living embodiment of this ideal. His Majesty blended philosophical depth with practical governance, shaping a nation where the happiness and welfare of the people became the ultimate goal of statecraft.
Plato imagined leaders who would think not in terms of immediate advantage, but in the long-term health of the state, guided by moral reasoning. We recognized this very principle in the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s introduction of GNH as Bhutan’s guiding philosophy. GNH, unlike purely economic metrics, prioritizes the moral, cultural, social, and spiritual well-being of citizens. It is governance as service, rooted in virtue and ethical responsibility.
At one point, Colonel Phuntshok leaned toward me and asked if I knew one of the most powerful words His Majesty had ever spoken on governance. And he reminded me of this: “If the government cannot create happiness for its people, then there is no purpose for the government to exist.”
We found this single line capturing the very soul of his leadership. Governance, to him, was never about authority or control—it was about service, responsibility, and the sacred duty of ensuring the welfare of the people. In this, he was no different from Plato’s Philosopher Kings, who ruled through reason, virtue, and a commitment to justice. His policies of decentralization, environmental protection, and social equity reflected this ethos in practice.
Philosopher Kings, as Plato envisioned, were to be utterly selfless, forsaking personal wealth and privilege for the good of the state. Here too, the Fourth King stands unmatched. We both agreed: “No one can surpass His Majesty in selflessness.” After all, what greater act of sacrifice could there be than voluntarily relinquishing absolute power in 1998, and later abdicating the throne in 2006—not in weakness, but in strength, entrusting the nation to the next generation? What can we say about the 34 years of the Fourth King’s reign which was defined by service, humility, and sacrifice for the greater good.
Where Plato’s ruler governed through insight into the eternal “Form of the Good,” the Fourth Druk Gyalpo combined practical wisdom, spiritual depth, and cultural knowledge to guide Bhutan into modernity. By harmonizing traditional Bhutanese values with contemporary governance, he revealed a model of leadership that was both timeless and uniquely Bhutanese.
And what of the long-term vision of the Philosopher King? And here, His Majesty’s words echoed with patriotic urgency: “What we build today must serve them tomorrow.”
Could there be a clearer expression of his focus on the future? Every decision he made—whether on sustainable development, environmental stewardship, or cultural preservation—was designed not merely for the present, but to safeguard Bhutan’s legacy for generations yet unborn.
Of course, there are distinctions. Plato’s Philosopher Kings remain a theoretical ideal in a utopian republic. The Fourth King, however, was a real monarch navigating real-world complexities—political, social, and economic—yet doing so with a steadfast commitment to ethical governance. While Plato’s vision was rooted in Greek philosophy, His Majesty’s leadership was deeply informed by Bhutan’s Buddhist traditions and cultural identity, blending spiritual guidance with pragmatic statecraft.
In His Majesty, we saw not only the fulfillment of Plato’s ancient ideal but something even greater: a leader who transformed philosophy into practice, and vision into lived reality. If Plato and the Philosopher King is still read and taught, can’t the world now look at a living manifestation of such a King and make lessons more relevant? Or do we need to dig the past, when we have something in the present?
“Ugyen. When it comes to leadership, we can bring forth the ideals and visions of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and other great statesman and juxtapose them with those of the Fourth King. It is inspiring and amazing.”
Written by Ugyen Tenzin, based on discussions with Colonel Karma Phuntshok
