Societal Management

As the vast majority of the Bhutanese population was illiterate, Bhutanese communities did not have written laws and regulations for the smooth running of the society. While the state laws provided the general framework for political and legal management, the people lived harmoniously mostly by following unwritten social contracts in the use of pastures, irrigation, labour contribution, etc. There was also informal understanding of the value systems and a strong community support system through fraternal solidarity and extended family cultures. The villages also had fairly democratic process to make important decisions in local meetings.