Democracy In Nepal Research Articles

Communist Parties and Threat to Democracy in Nepal: A Historical Analysis, 1949–2023

Communist parties are major actors in Nepali politics. This study is an attempt to explore if they pose a threat to democracy in Nepal given that communist parties are formed to operate a dictatorship of the proletariat. Findings suggest that democracy in Nepal is not under threat from communist parties for three reasons. First, communist parties in Nepal have contributed more to the arrival of democracy than its departure. Second, communist parties dominant in current Nepali politics have accepted democracy as an ideology. Third, communist parties and leaders have strongly stood up against the authoritarian tendency crept into the communist movement of Nepal. Since this study is the first exclusive research on the relationship between democracy and communist parties in Nepal, this work makes an original contribution to the Nepali political literature. This study also makes an original contribution to the general democratization literature by refuting the assumption that democracy can never coexist with communist parties. Furthermore, this study invites more research on the relationship between democracy and communist parties from other democratic countries that have communist parties. The method used in this study is historical analysis.

Poverty, Unemployment and Human Development in Nepal: Effectiveness of Economic Reformation Policies of 1990s

Nepal initiated economic reformation measures during late 1980s under the guidance and support of IMF and world Bank when its balance of payment (BoP) turned negative in 1982/83 and remained negative for three consecutive years. The sequential governments after restoration multiparty democracy in Nepal in 1990 implemented various measures of economic reformation related to trade liberalisation, investment and foreign exchange regimes, unification of the exchange rate, rationalisation of the tariff structure and tax system, promotion of export and strengthen public expenditure management were introduced. The aim of these reformation policies was to reduce poverty by accelerating economic growth and increasing employment opportunities. This paper attempts to evaluate effectiveness of these economic reformation policies of 1990s in reducing poverty and unemployment and improve human development condition in Nepal. It is descriptive and analytical in nature. Secondary sources of data have been used to carry out this paper. Books, research articles, reports of national and international agencies have been used as secondary sources of data. Descriptive statistical tools have been used to interpret results. This paper finds that reformation policies of 1990s have remained ineffective to reduce poverty and unemployment and improve human development condition at expected level.

India's Maneuvering in Nepal

The author employed descriptive and analytical research methods to achieve the purpose of examining Indian excessive oversight in Nepal. The author found that India lags behind Nepal in terms of Indian maneuvering. Geo-location, an open border, socio-cultural connection, language proximity, public diplomacy, and India's participation in every political movement have defined Nepal-India relations. Although India does not promote democracy in Nepal, the country's government and administration do. To gain this possibility, Nepal must embrace unilaterally favorable accords such as Tanakpur (Mahakali), Koshi, Gandaki, and others. Since the Maoists and the SPA reached a 12-point agreement prior to the adoption of the current constitution, Indian maneuvering has wrecked Nepal's politics and government.

Complexities and Dynamics of the Popular Movement of 1990 in Nepal

After decades of autocratic control, Nepal's political landscape saw a dramatic change in 1990 when the democratic revolution brought multiparty democracy back. This article examines the tactics, difficulties, and final success of political parties in launching and maintaining the movement. Utilizing historical narratives, primary materials, and academic examinations, it offers perspectives on how political parties evolved into catalysts for transformation, galvanized the populace, and engaged in negotiations with the king to usher in a novel phase of democracy in Nepal. The complex dynamics influenced by many social, political, and economic elements led to the movement's success. In the face of authoritarianism and popular discontent, the study explores the intricacies of the movement and sheds insight on the interlocking dynamics that drove Nepal toward democratic reform

Five years of local democracy in federal Nepal (2017–2022)

AbstractNepalʼs 2015 federal constitution empowers local governments with significant autonomy, power, and resources for local policymaking, developmental programs, and public services. This research examines this new landscape of local governance as experienced during the first electoral tenure from 2017 to 2022, exploring the quality of local democracy in Nepal. Designed as interpretive research and analysed through a set of participatory democracy frameworks, the findings uncover mixed progress in the capacity of local democratic institutions to utilise constitutionally guaranteed power and resources. The findings of this study offer fresh academic and professional insights on Nepalʼs local democracy, participatory governance, and federalism.

The Rivalry between India and China for Political Influence in Nepal

Nepal is geographically situated between India and China's economically prosperous and politically influential nations. As a result, the interests of Nepal's neighbouring countries have influenced its political landscape. Thus, the paper attempts to analyse how India and China destabilise democracy in Nepal by relating historical, political, economic, and cultural factors because they are connected. Furthermore, it examines how India and China have affected Nepal's democracy through the political parties, the government, and the Constitution. China and India have a geostrategic rivalry, and then they engage in Nepal to create political polarisation, which weakens democratic institutions. It fuels instability in Nepal because it has cultural and political ties and generates more government instability. Therefore, research explores the complex connection of Nepal with China and India and their impact on democratic stability. The study concludes that Nepal's government, civil society, and regional actors should mitigate the adverse effects of external political intervention and foster a stable democratic environment in Nepal. This study used a qualitative technique, incorporating a literature review and document analysis, to examine reports, policy documents, and media items. The analysis of thematically gathered data reveals discernible patterns and trends in the influence of China and India on the volatility of Nepal's democratic system.

Bhandari’s Rhetoric in the 1990s Political Dynamics: Institutionalizing Democracy in Nepal

Rhetoric can be described as an art of persuasion, encompassing both words and actions. It is associated with the relationship between an addresser and an addressee in the process of communication. In the early post-1990 era in Nepal, CPN (UML) Secretary General Madan Bhandari emerged as a popular leader with his political philosophy of People’s Multiparty Democracy (PMPD), effectively employing the art of rhetoric to connect with a diverse audience. The rhetorical analysis of Bhandari’s speeches, which covered topics such as monarchy, constitution, parliamentary elections, and the Tanakpur Treaty, had a profound impact on shaping the Nepali psyche. Using rhetorical appeals – logos, pathos, and ethos – Bhandari brilliantly persuaded the intended audience in the post-democracy Nepali society early in the 1990s. Exploiting myths and metaphors, and repetitions and parallelism, Bhandari skillfully projected a sense of hope and expectation amidst contemporary political exigencies. Bhandari’s rhetoric contained substantial democratic values and ideas for socio-economic transformation, which deeply inspired the newly liberated Nepali psyche. With a high level of respect for his audiences, he envisioned a future course of progress and prosperity for Nepal embedded in the principles of People’s Multiparty Democracy, all within the context of global political dynamics. Through a perfect balance of rhetoric and reality, Bhandari not only instilled new hope in the Nepali people but also created an image of an iconic leader dedicated to the welfare of the country and its people. As an innovative political philosophy, PMPD resonates with democratic practice in the Marxist philosophy for the masses that earned him the status of a hero in contemporary Nepali politics, relevant now, and directed to continue for decades in the South Asian geopolitical sphere.

Nepal-India Trade: Pre and Post Globalization Comparisons

Nepal and India have trade relations since pre historic age. The pattern of trade between these two countries has not remained same from prehistoric age to the current period. Nepal and British India signed first treaty of commerce in 1st March, 1792. Nepal’s had trade surplus with British India before both the countries signed a treaty of friendship on December 21, 1923 AD. Nepal’s trade deficit with India has been increasing. Nepal introduced country-wise and commodity-wise trade diversification initiatives to raise its export to India and lessen its reliance on India in international trade. Nepal has brought several reformations in trade policies though after 1991 when it liberalized its economy for increasing export and reducing volume of trade deficit. This study compares India-Nepal trade in past before down of democracy in Nepal, in between 1950 to 1990 and after 1990 in order to analyse effects of various trade treaties and policies in Nepal-India trade. It uses historical-analytical method using secondary sources of data to carry out the study. It covers data from 1900 AD to 2020/21. The study finds that various revisions in trade treaties between Nepal and India and trade reformation policies have not been effective in increasing export of Nepal, its trade deficit and dependency in India.

Strengthening Multiparty Democracy in Nepal: An Assessment of Parliamentary Elections since 1951

Based on the secondary data, using qualitative descriptive methods, the study aims to examine the evolution of Nepal's parliamentary system and its actual practice. In the nation's first general election held in 1959, in accordance with the parliamentary system practice, the Nepali Congress won two-thirds of the vote. Similar to this, the left coalition, which includes the Nepal Communist Party (UML) and Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Centre), received nearly two-thirds of the electorate's votes in 2017. Both of those two-thirds governments were unable to function for a full term. Both internal and external factors contributed to the incapacity to work continuously for the entire time period. The findings of the study show that political parties were unable to sustain democratic norms, beliefs, customs and culture because the public opinions expressed by the Nepali people could not be properly translated into political stability and long-lasting peace. In this study, this issue regarding the overall functioning of the political system has been raised because even Nepal's majority rule is not able to remain in the government for a whole term. The study also argues that the parliamentary democratic system is not a “dirty” game, but our political leaders are the dirty players. The study concludes that that Nepal's parliamentary system requires a modification and Nepali political parties should follow democratic norms and values.

Democratic Movements and Challenges in Nepal

This article examines and analyses the democratic movements and challenges in Nepal. Democratic system of government is considered one of the best and most superlative governing systems of countries in the world. In the history of civilization, democracy has been fundamental in transforming the globe from monarchy, imperialism and invasion to constitutional democracy, self-determination, mutual understanding and peaceful co-existence. The democratic system is preferable and a better governing system because of the participation of people in decision-making. There have been many movements for the establishment of democracy in the world and those movements have contributed significantly not only democracy but also equally to human rights. Also in Nepal, there have been several movements for the establishment of the democratic system. For a long time, Nepal had a unitary system with absolute monarchy. A federal republic system has been established in Nepal through a long and continuous struggle involving various political movements. This study is related to those movements that have some significant role in the establishment of democracy in Nepal along with their challenges. It is qualitative research in nature and used only secondary data. The secondary data and facts have been drawn from library and related reviews and they are interpreted and analyzed with movements and challenges as analytical and descriptive method.

Performing for Social Justice: Efficacy of Political Theatre in Nepal and the Philippines

Theatre plays a vital role in the struggle for democracy, functioning as an alternative medium for presenting social problems “of and to” the people and proving its efficacy as a powerful creative force in unravelling the hidden truths of repressive regimes. This article examines and compares the role of theatre in a Nepali and Filipino context, in particular its deployment in response to repressive regimes, and argues that theatre is both adaptable and efficacious as a tool for social and political justice. Although never colonised, Nepal was under the control of the Rana Oligarchy for over one hundred years (1846-1951). This period of oligarchical rule was followed by three decades of totalitarianism under King Mahendra’s party-less Panchayat system (1960-1990). Despite and because of this climate of political brutality and oppression, theatre and performance traditions endured. These traditions made “the invisible visible,” serving to awaken the population to their democratic rights. In the Philippines, theatre and performance traditions have been used to push back against centuries of foreign influence. More recently, these traditions have been deployed in response to the authoritarian rule of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in particular his aggressive war on drugs. As this study shows, theatre has been a powerful means to fight against autocratic polity and restoration of democracy in Nepal and colonial forces as well as dictatorship in the Philippines.

Structural Determinants of Democratic Consolidation and Nepal’s Loktantra Since 2017

Despite frequent political changes, democratic consolidation is not a popular question among the researchers of democracy in Nepal. This article aims to connect the theoretical discussion of consolidation of democracy, mostly focusing on the structural factors and Nepali Loktantra. Two findings of this study are particularly important for the discussion of the consolidation of Loktantra in Nepal. First, the macro structural factors – e.g., economic modernization, regime type, and party -system – make pessimistic predictions on future of Nepali democracy. In other words, the macro structural conditions are unfavorable for the consolidation of the democracy in contemporary Nepal. Second, procedural dimensions of the democracy are insufficient to define Nepali Loktantra. The newly adopted regime has attempted to merge few components of non-majoritarian democracy too. We need more critical evaluation on the characteristics of Nepali Loktantra. If it is different with a procedural democracy, its relation with socio-economic structure also should be different.

International Support for Democracy in Nepal

This study explores the roles of international communities in the democratization process particularly in the post-conflict contexts of Nepal. Based on the main courses of Constituent Assembly Elections of 2008 and 2013 on the background of the civil war (1996 - 2006) and peace process, the analyses of related data showed that international community assisted not only to the peace process through playing different roles such as of a facilitator, a technical supporter, a monitor, a diplomatic good office in the peace process but also as a technical and generous supporter to Election Commission for managing free, fair and credible elections. The support was to the Election Commission, the peace process, to the legislature parliament and all these have made more contributions on institutional and managerial aspects for democracy promotion while equal focus has to be on the people’s level for deliberative democracy.

Federal Democracy Nepal: An Assessment of Two Years Democratic Practices

Nepal is on the way of institutionalizing federal political system. New democracy faces a number of challenges in institutionalizing. This paper, aims to understand the state of democratic practices and prospects of democracy in Nepal. It adopts political system approach and takes political ideas, power sharing, resource distribution, social identities, political values as independent variables and stability of democracy as dependent variable. It argues the prospect of democracy is uncertain. Country lacks several preconditions which are necessary for the success of federal democracy. Federalism is difficult to flourish in poor economy based society, incompatible political values, weak institution and poor governance.

Gita Philosophy and its Influence on Nepali Politics

The people of Nepal have witnessed different political movements in the political history of Nepal. The political movements are influenced by different philosophies. Gita philosophy as well has marked distinct impact in the politics of Nepal. The people of Nepal had to bear a lot of injustice, oppression and exploitation during Rana rule. Although the governments prior to Rana rule were also not so much democratic, to some extent they were directed to public welfare. At the time of Rana rule there had taken place many reformations in global politics, but Nepali people were denied off very common citizen rights. So, there was a need for a democratic movement in Nepal. In the campaigns for democratic movements then, there was a very significant impact of Gita philosophy. It is found from this study that four martyrs of 1997BS and founder leaders of Nepali Congress and Nepal Communist Party were influenced by the ideas of Gita philosophy and the general public has a great faith on the Gita philosophy. Gita philosophy has formed the foundations for the democratic movement in Nepal. And even after the establishment of democracy in Nepal, there were series of political changes in Nepal. And in the revolutions or campaigns for restoration of democracy or for the republic, there has been a role of different political leaders and as many of the first-generation leaders are still in active politics, we can find direct or indirect influence of Gita philosophy in Nepalese politics. Though the later generations of leadership seem to have less knowledge about Gita, their activities and the political interests matched with the principles of Gita philosophy.

Prosperity through Tourists in Lamjung District: An Anthropological Outlook

The study areas of anthropology have been growing day by day. Therefore, it has concerned with various parts of society such as sanitation, water supply, poverty, traditional practice, folk music, tourism etc as multidisciplinary areas. In fact, anthropology and tourism are co-evolutionary process in the path of their developments because they help each other in many ways. Traditionally, tourism and tourist are major anthropological sources of information to analyse the situation of then and present society and culture. Similarly, tourist can enjoy visiting any places by learning anthropological knowledge and findings. Methodologically, this is based on field observation, interview and other secondary sources to analyse the scenario. After the introduction of democracy in Nepal, she has been opened to outsiders. As a result, Sir Edmund Hillary as foreigner visited Nepal. Hillary with Tenzing Norgy Sherpa successfully climbed the Mount Everest in 29 May, 1953 at the first time. Then the glorious name of Nepal has become famous in the world. The tourism industries have been initiated from Thamel, Solukhumbo, Pokhara and then gradually extended in other parts of the country. Tourism at present period has popular pursuit in several parts of Nepal involving from hotel, lodge, guide, restaurant, expedition to home stay and other businesses. Lamjung has own identity in tourism perspective. The Ghalegaun is famous in SAARC level as model program for the home stay concept. From perennial snow peaks, biodiversity to natural forest of rhododendron in mountain to hill parts in the north and plain narrow valley in the south to develop cultural lives can be observed there. Lamjung has been enriched in different culture, fest and festivals. Paudure dance among the Kumal, bees hunting in steep slope rocky hills to Rodi in the Gurung have their own identity popular in the district.

Role of Youth in Strengthening Parliamentary Federal Democracy in Nepal

Politics has become a frustrating social activity for many young people. However, there is no escape from it: the only choice in democratic society is between ―good‖ politics and ―bad‖ politics. The performance of ―independent‖ media, our cultural and social norms, some constitutionals provisions, liberalism and cynicism are among those principal factors that are responsible for the alienation of you from politics. Federal structure, in the meantime, has encouraged the youth to engage in politics. In a federal-democratic society, youth needs to possess critical and deliberative mind to make politics meaningful and productive. This paper explores the roles youth can play in strengthening federal democracy in Nepal.

Federal Democratic Republic Nepal: Deepening Problems and Prospects

Constructing federal democratic republic is a complex process. Both old and new democracies face different forms of challenges in building and maintaining, either internally or externally. Hence, this paper assesses the challenges in developing and maintaining democratic republic Nepal. With the help of secondary sources of information, it argues, building democracy in Nepal is undermined by foundational challenges and deepening challenges. Nepal, a closer analysis from the perspective of the constitution, geography and national wealth, rule of law, the nature of the party and their leaders, the prospect of a democratic republic is unclear.Journal of Political Science, Volume XVIII, 2018, Page: 114-142

China-Nepal Relations: A Cooperative Partnership in Slow Motion

Despite the long-standing friendship between Nepal and China, their relationship has developed rather slowly since the reestablishment of democracy in Nepal in 1990, mainly due to the constant pressure from Western forces faced by Nepali political elite, as well as the ignorance of most democratic governments about balancing Nepal’s foreign relations, especially between its two giant neighbors, India and China. In recent years, however, the Nepali government has been trying to promote pragmatic cooperation with China in order to garner support for its own development. With the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in building the “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI),” the China-Nepal relationship is likely to enter a new era. Based on a historical review of the development of China-Nepal relations, this article offers some suggestions on how to enhance their cooperative partnership in the future.

Role of Tax Revenue to Strengthen of Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan Corporation

After the restoration of the democracy in Nepal, the demand for spending up decentralization process has been gained ground. As a result of increasingly assertive role of stakeholders, the enactment of local self-governance Act (LSGA), 1999 in line with 9th plan, objective had been achieved providing the base for further promotion of decentralization framework in the country. Municipal financing is new concept in Nepal. Municipal financing indicates the study of various sources of revenue (both internal and external) and their collection, allocation, mobilization and utilization of those resource in such a manner that ultimate municipal goal can be achieved through it. For sustainable development effort conducted by local government to realized revenue and evaluation such performance was done through field surveys and on the basis of existing available data and reports. Simple tabular presentation percentage tools is used to analyzed data and found PSMC is not success to collect sufficient tax revenue as its possibilities. Janapriya Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies Vol. 2, No.1 (December 2013), page: 51-60