State of Democracy in Nepal: Survey Report
Author: krishna Hachhethu
Category: Politics   
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About  .

The Book

Nepali citizens accept democracy in its normative and universal sense. Although they are disappointed with the way democracy works, which is reflected in their low level of trust on institutions of democracy such as political parties and parliament, they retain conviction in democracy.

‘In Nepal, ethnic identity and national identity overlap largely. Ethnic/regional identity by minorities could challenge the nation, but it appears from the survey that this assertion does not challenge national identity, which remains the prime identity.

Though there is no clear understanding of what ‘minority’ means in political discourse, Nepali citizens, by large margin, advocate special treatment to minorities.

Privatisation and market-led liberalisation, the current global mantras, are unacceptable to the majority of surveyed Nepali citizens. Nepali citizens voice their expectation of the state to deliver basic goods and services, including schools, hospitals, drinking water, electricity and public transport.

To bring the armed conflict to negotiated settlement, the majority of surveyed Nepali citizens of those who responded, recommend a round table conference, formation of an interim government that includes the Maoists, and a constituent assembly.

In the imagination of a new Nepal, the location of the monarchy is the big question. Nearly two third majority respondents of Nepali citizens choose a middle way between two extreme alternatives given - monarchy with power and republic - that is a full fledged constitutional monarchy.

On other key characteristics of the Nepali state, the majority prefer status quo (monarchy, single-language system, Hindu state, and unitary state formation). Support for alternative provisions, i.e. secular state and equal treatment of all languages is substantial. The minority groups are attracted more to the agenda of restructuring Nepali state.

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Krishna Hachhethu is associated with the Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS),
Tribhuvan University. He is also a member of the Nepal Centre for Contemporary
Studies (NCCS). His publications include, Party Building in Nepal: Organization,
Leadership and People (Kathmandu: Mandala Book Point, 2002).