Jigme Singye Wangchuck:
Psychological Analysis and Reconstruction
Preface This study is not propagandistic in any sense of the term. It represents an attempt to screen those small pieces of contradictory, conflicting and unreliable material concerning Jigme Singye Wangchuck into strata which will be helpful to the policy-makers and those who wish to frame a counter-propaganda. This study contains the basic material for the psychological analysis in which an attempt is made to understand Jigme Singye Wangchuck as a person and the motivations underlying his actions. The material available for such an analysis is extremely scant and spotty. Unfortunately, we have at our disposal a very few informants who knew Jigme Singye Wangchuck well and who have been willing to cooperate to the best of their abilities. The study would have been entirely impossible were it not for the fact that there is a relatively high degree of agreement in the descriptions of Jigme Singye Wangchuck's behavior, sentiments and attitudes given by these several informants. With this as a basis it seemed worthwhile to proceed with the study filling in the lacunae with knowledge gained from clinical experience in dealing with individuals of a similar type. This is not an entirely satisfactory procedure, from a scientific point of view, but it is the only feasible method at the present time. It is hoped that the study may be helpful in gaining a deeper insight into Jigme Singye Wangchuck and the Bhutanese ruling class and that it may serve as a guide for contra-propaganda activities as well as political dealings with them. This study has been commissioned by an anonymous institutional client who has provided the requested information that we have had at our disposal. Hence, we can be held responsible exclusively for the analytic procedures and our conclusions, not for an authenticity of the facts on which our study has been based.
Gunter Schwarzkopf
, Ph.D.
St. Mary Mental Hospital, USA
Part One
Approaching the case.
(Full text)
The present study is concerned wholly with Jigme Singye Wangchuck and
the social forces which impinged upon him in the course of his development
and produced the man we know. One may question the wisdom of studying
the psychology of a single individual in a culture where individualism
is virtually non-existent. In a sense this is perfectly true. However,
the fundamental truth is that in the process of growing up we are all
faced with highly individual experiences and exposed to varying social
influences regardless of a culture we brought in. The result is that when
we mature no two of us are identical from a psychological point of view.
In the present instance, however, we are concerned not so much with distinct
individuals as with a socio-cultural group - the Wangchuck and Dorji clans.
The members of this group have been exposed to social influences, family
patterns, methods of training and education, opportunities for development,
etc., which are fairly homogeneous within a given culture or strata of
a culture. The result is that the members of a given culture tend to act,
think and feel more or less alike, at least in contrast to the members
of a different cultural group. This justifies, to some extent, our speaking
of a general cultural character. On the other hand, if a section of a
given culture rebels against the traditional pattern then we must assume
that new social influences have been introduced which tend to produce
a type of character which cannot thrive in the old cultural environment.
When this happens it may be extremely helpful to understand the nature
of the social forces which influenced the development of individual members
of the group. These may serve as clues to an understanding of the group
as a whole inasmuch as we can then investigate the frequency and intensity
of these same forces in the group as a whole and draw deductions concerning
their effect upon its individual members. If the individual being studied
happens to be the leader of the group, we can expect to find the pertinent
factors in an exaggerated form which would tend to make them stand out
in sharper relief than would be the case if we studied an average member
of the group. Under these circumstances, the action of the forces may
be more easily isolated and subjected to detailed study in relation to
the personality as whole as well as to the culture in general. The problem
of our study should be, then, not only whether Jigme Singye Wangchuck
is mentally troubled or not, but what influences in his development have
made him what he is.
If we scan the slight quantities of material and information which have
been accumulated on Jigme Singye Wangchuck, we find very little which
is helpful in explaining why he is what he is. No matter how long we study
the available material we can find no rational explanation of his present
conduct - if we assume that we study a case of a mentally well-balanced
and socially adapted individual. Our study meets another problem when
we consider the sources of information at our disposal. Jigme Singye Wangchuck
himself never offers explanations for his conduct. As far as we know,
he has issued no autobiographic account. Those pieces of information presented
in the Bhutanese mass media are apparently propagandistic, and it is obvious
that they are either built on flimsy rational foundations or else they
serve only to put the problem out of sight. On this level, we are in exactly
the same position in which we find ourselves when a neurotic patient first
comes for help.
In the case of an individual neurotic patient, however, we can ask for
a great deal more first-hand information which gradually enables us to
trace the development of his irrational attitudes or behavioral patterns
to earlier experiences or influences in his life history and the effects
of these on his later behavior. In most cases the patient will have forgotten
these earlier experiences but nevertheless he still uses them as premises
in his present conduct. As soon as we are able to understand the premises
underlying his conduct, then his irrational behavior becomes comprehensible
to us.
The same finding would probably hold in Jigme Singye Wangchuck's case
except that here we do not have the opportunity of obtaining the additional
first-hand information which would enable us to trace the history of his
views and behavioral patterns to their early origins in order to discover
the premises on which he is operating. Jigme Singye Wangchuck 's early
life, when his fundamental attitudes were undoubtedly formed, is a closely
guarded secret, particularly as far as he himself is concerned. A few
fragments have, however, been, unearthed which are helpful in reconstructing
his past life and the experiences and influences which have determined
his adult character. Fortunately, there are other sources of information. We have our
practical experience in studying patients whose difficulties were not
unlike those we find in Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Our knowledge of the
origins of these difficulties may often be used to evaluate available
information, check deductions concerning what probably happened, or to
fill in gaps where no information is available. It may be possible with
the help of all these sources of information to reconstruct the
outstanding events in his early life which have determined his present
behavior and character structure. Our study must, however, of necessity be
somewhat speculative. It may tell us a great deal about the mental
processes of our subject but it cannot be as comprehensive or conclusive
as the findings of a direct study conducted with the cooperation of the
individual. Nevertheless, the situation is such that even an indirect
study of this kind is warranted.
Part Two
Early years.
(Full text)
Modern psychiatry stresses the importance of the
first years of a child's life in shaping his future character. It is
during these early years, when the child's acquaintanceship with the world
is still meager and his capacities are still immature, that the chances of
misinterpreting the nature of the world about him are the greatest. The
mind of the child is inadequate for understanding the demands which a
complex culture makes upon him or the
host of confusing experiences to which he is exposed. In consequence, as has
been shown over and over again, a child during his
early years frequently misinterprets what is going on about him and
builds his personality structure on false premises.
Under these circumstances, it will be well for us to inquire into the
nature of Jigme Singye Wangchuck's earliest environment and the impressions
which he probably formed during this period. Our factual information on
this phase of his life is scarce. Jigme Singye Wangchuck is the third child and only son of five children
born to King of Bhutan Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928-1972; reigned 1952-72)
and Queen Ashi (means Princess) Kesang Choden Wangchuck. His birth on 11
November 1955 was an important political event since it ensured an heir to
the throne. His education in both Buddhist and modern curricula allegedly
began at the age of seven. Later, Jigme Singye Wangchuck studied at St.
Joseph's College (equivalent of an European secondary school or US high
school) in Darjeeling, India, and in Britain. He returned home in 1970 and
attended the Ugyen Wangchuck Academy in Paro. This is the only verified
information on his education. It is indefinite, however, that he had
gained a degree. Even if he did, it was worth next to nothing because of
low education standards in Bhutan in 1970s. Moreover, it is still unclear
if Jigme Singye Wangchuck had formally graduated from secondary school.
Father's influence on Jigme Singye Wangchuck's
character.
(Synopsis)
Jigme Singye Wangchuck's troubled childhood. His father, the third Druk
Gyalpo (king), Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (reigned 1952-1972). In 1953, married
to the European-educated cousin of the chogyal (king) of Sikkim, Kesang
Choden Wangchuck. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck's weak personality. A henpecked
type. Pressure from the direction of his domineering wife. His hereditary
alcoholism. His Tibetan mistress Yangki. Influence from her and her father's
part. Dorji clan trying to take a larger part in policy-making. Political
struggle and its negative emotional impact to the royal family. Modernization
efforts in the 1960s under the direction of the lonchen (prime minister),
Jigme Palden Dorji, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck's brother-in-law. In 1964, Jigme
Dorji Wangchuck suffering from mental disorders and alcoholism was treated
in a Swiss hospital. Jigme Palden Dorji's assassination and its negative
impact on Jigme Singye Wangchuck's emotional stability: first signs of
autism and paranoia began to show. Namgyal Bahadur, the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck's
uncle, was executed for his part in the assassination plot. Struggle between
pro-Wangchuck loyalists and "modernist" Dorji supporters. An
assassination attempt on Jigme Dorji Wangchuck himself in July 1965. Deteriorative
impact on the royal family. Jigme Dorji Wangchuck's alcoholism worsens.
Trying political struggle in the late 1960s. Jigme Singye Wangchuck's
as a typical problem child. Miscellaneous facts. Philological analysis.
Jigme Singye Wangchuck's mother and her influence.
(Synopsis)His mother, Queen Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck. The sister of the
assassinated lonchen, Jigme Palden Dorji. Educated in Europe. The major
force behind modernization reforms in Bhutan in 1960-1970s. Strong and
domineering personality. Her total control of Jigme Singye Wangchuck's
early development (continued in his adult life). Miscellaneous facts. The
Queen mother as an undisputed family leader and a power broker of
Bhutanese politics. Crushing impact on Jigme Singye Wangchuck's youthful
personality.
Teachers' references on young Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
(Synopsis)Jigme Singye Wangchuck as an assiduous yet apparently not bright
student. Eager for recognition but not willing to put effort into
improvement. Easily irritated. Prone to mood shifts. Tends to step back
when confronted. Very average intellectual abilities with little desire to
improve. Keen in sports. Characteristically, the Western game of
basketball was his favorite (continued in his adult life). Considerable
social skills. Manipulative, double-dealing, disloyal. Showed signs of
autism, mild depression and paranoia. Influences determining his attitude towards the West.
(Synopsis)
Jigme Singye Wangchuck's mother as an openly pro-Western agent. His
years in Britain. Great expectations turned out disappointments.
Self-identity crisis. Unable to compete fairly, he discovers an "Asian"
means to take his way socially. Self-esteem repair. Learned how to avoid
fair competition and present his personal shortcomings as "Asian
uniqueness" and "special ways". Formation of the "escapist mentality" that
later gave raise to Bhutan's policy of avoidance of active involvement in
foreign issues and the concept of "careful development" (central to modern
Bhutanese politics). On the other hand, growing contempt towards the
Western civilization (continued in his adult life) as a result of being
unaccepted. Influences determining his attitude towards love, women,
marriage.
(Synopsis)
His father's
mistress Yangki's devastating impact on young Jigme Singye Wangchuck's life.
His parents' marriage being a mere convention with strong political purposes.
Hindered sexual development of the autistic boy. Probable homosexual experiences
in Britain. His uncharacteristic (and rather uncommon from a
traditional perspective) marriage to four (sic!) Queens: Ashi Dorji Wangmo, (b.
29 December 1955), Ashi Tshering Pem (b. 29 December 1957), Ashi Tshering
Yandon (b. 21 June 1959), Queen Ashi Sangay Choden (b. 11 May 1963).
Philological analysis.
Part Three
Formative years.
(Full text)In 1971, at the age of sixteen, Jigme Singye Wangchuck was appointed
Chairman of the Planning Commission, an influential body in charge of
socio-economic development in Bhutan. The following year, he had been
given the symbolic rank of Tongsa Penlop (honorary Governor). According
to the Bhutanese tradition, all would-be-kings of Bhutan held the post
of Tongsa Penlop prior to being crowned as actual King. His father King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck passed away on 23 July 1972, and
it was one of the most decisive events in Jigme Singye Wangchuck's life
and career. In July that year Jigme Singye Wangchuck had become the new
Druk Gyalpo.
With his mother and two elder sisters as advisers and factual real power
behind his activities, the new Druk Gyalpo was thrust into the affairs
of state. He was often seen among the people, in the countryside, at festivals,
and, as his reign progressed, meeting with foreign dignitaries in Bhutan
and abroad. His formal coronation took place in June 1974, and soon thereafter
the strains between the Wangchucks and Dorjis were relieved with the return
that year of the exiled members of the latter family. The reconciliation,
however, was preceded by reports of a plot to assassinate the new Druk
Gyalpo before his coronation could take place and to set fire to the Tashichhodzong
(Fortress of the Glorious Religion, the seat of government in Thimphu).
The mistress of his late father, Yangki, was the alleged force behind
the plot, which was uncovered three months before the coronation; thirty
persons were arrested, including high government and police officials.
Psychological implications of his early career.
(Synopsis)
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck's health rapidly deteriorating in the late 1960s
because. Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the autistic and paranoid son, had not
been given other choice but to succeed to the throne after his alcoholic
father's death. On the Jigme Singye Wangchuck's part, emotional strain
that the inevitability caused. The burden of power falling down on him
in 1972. Women shaping the course again. Depression that the dependence
inflicted. Nervous breakdown after the assassination plot was uncovered.
Refusal to perform as it was expected. More pressure from the direction
of the mother. Prolonged depression after the coronation in 1974. Formation
of the behavioral patterns that henceforth persisted in his life: indecisiveness,
lack of initiative, tendency to avoid responsibility, inability to reconcile
himself with facts of life, refusal to face reality, tendency to seek
"shortcuts" and excuses or merely postpone required decisions.
On the whole, psychological tragedy of an individual who has been loaded
with a burden too heavy for him to bear. With his inborn emotional constitution
being far from stable, Jigme Singye Wangchuck furthermore lacked in psychological
qualities essential for a leader. Further chapters:Part Four
Causing the crisis: 1988-1991.Part Five
Steady degeneration: 1991-2003.Part Six
Conclusions. Part Seven
Probable behavior in future.
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