Democracy
Is It Just For Voting Right ?

By Ajay P. Nath

IN many Third World countries a political concept is being developed which feels that an enlightened despotism is preferable to chaotic democracy; the masses require protection from themselves. Even Cromwell wanted to demonstrate how democracy, among other factors, was responsible for Athens' decline. Reflecting on ancient Athens one could always remark that one could think of nothing more dangerous than debate in an uncontrolled crowd. Though the swing toward democracy following the end of Cold War and the fall of communism in former USSR and Eastern Europe, was a triumph for liberal philosophy, the pendulum has come to rest where it belongs-in the middle, between the extreme leftist and the extreme rightist. Where a political system leans too far in either direction, realignment or disaster awaits.

Change

Nepalese society probably needs to slow down the present change which is too fast to strike a balance for reform- a process which needs continuity without stop or without a stretch too far. What Nepal needs today is to avert the kind of revolutionary upheaval that has engulfed many Third World countries and resulted confusion and chaos across a vast and geographically riven landscape in the name of democracy, in which less than 10 per cent are enjoying the fruits of democracy.

Authoritarian regimes like in South East Asia, which ruled many of these nations for a long time, were treated kindly and as legitimate, no matter how illiberal they were, because they could provide full proof security for their peoples and spark vibrant economic growth. Any regime, any where, at any time of history will easily find acceptance and respects in a world driven increasingly by modern financial markets and globalized corporate system that know no political and geographical boundaries. Because of the failure of political leadership to rightly handle modern democratic polity and provide democratic and good gevernance, many elite people in the Third World countries are debating the good and bad sides of the oligarchic and democratic system of governing the people. Indeed, these people who are fed up with the multiple crises resulting from the mobocratic democracy, find the difference between even oligarchy and democracy and between ancient Athenian democracy and modern one, which could be far subtler than many of us think. Democratic rights exercised in many Third World countries, particularly after the end of Cold War, has proved that it is a fraud in many poor countries like Nepal. Modern democracy exists within a thin band of social and economic conditions, which include flexible hierarchies that allow people to move up and down the ladder. Instead of clear-cut separations between classes there are many grey shades with most people bunched in the middle. Many Africans, Asians and Latin Americans want better living standard with full proof security instead of just a voting rights deprived of basic economic and social progress. Nepalese have got the voting rights for the last so many years but what else have they got out of it except fast increasing level of hunger, disease, deprivation and insecurity ?

In a full-fledged democracy, i.e. an ideal one, every individual, every family, village and town, corporation, organisation, NGO/INGO, media and political party would keep national interest and national welfare above their own interest and welfare. But here in Nepal has it been happening ? Neither is it happening in many new democracies in the Third World countries.

After the advent of multipary democracy the Nepalese people expected to be healthy, well fed, and even luxurious with the introduction of good governance and better technology. But the expectation turned out to be just the opposite. The larger number of people were, instead, condemned to a life of poverty and sickness. The high hopes of the people and tall promises of the political leadership all turned out to be empty dreams. The national scenario of these new democracies became so hopeless and people so fed up that they were compelled to look for new alternatives.

In Nepal situation went from bad to worse and a section of the people even took up arms against the system itself and went into the bush. This situation was well exploited by those selfish elements who are somehow never willing to see Nepal standing on its own feet. It is futile to point out a finger against anyone when the leadership cannot put its own house in order. Why blame somebody else? We are providing the opportunities and they are simply seizing it. Right now Nepalese national psyche is such that it will accept and respect any Tom, Dick and Harry who can lay his undeterred hands on the rampant corruption right from the top, urgently go down deep into the root causes of present insurgency, give a clean and honest administrative machinery translating all rules and regulations from the paper to the people. If such actions, immediate and drastic, i.e. taking harsh and unpleasant decision on the spot without an inch of mine and thine-attitude are effected, even those disgruntled section of people who have taken the risky and harmful decision of raising arms against the system and state will soon be forced to change their mind and join the national mainstream. If these changes, encompassing all aspects of ordinary lives, can be introduced in present Nepal, even those elements fishing in the troubled water will find no safe haven in this country. Look at the thunderous support and clamorous cooperation openly and honestly displayed for the recent CIAA's small step towards cleaning up the house!

The world knows what went wrong in Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Ethiopia, Congo and in Cambodia. And no wonder, unless Nepalese, particularly the leadership, use their common sense and forethought, Nepal will be next in line. To avert this national political calamities, Nepalese still has options if accepted and adopted with unbiased attitudes keeping national interest above everything else. Right now the Maoist problem is the problem that has besieged this nation for the last seven years. Sadly enough there has been no domestic political consensus in this issue till dates. All political parties within and outside the government, including senior bureaucrats, media, academicians and diplomats must reach an understanding to determine one single policy on this issue. Being able to form one opinion and presenting one voice in one issue is the priority needs on such major national problems. Even those raising arms against the existing constitution should understand that the Nepalese national problems needs to be resolved within the national boundaries without any external interference. As free citizens of a free country our problem should be solved by ourselves. As a proud nation, how can we tolerate the decision imposed on us from a foreign capital.

Unity

Now if Nepal is to be protected from a state of total collapse and if the political leadership is absolutely serious to finally deliver something to the wretched and hard suffered, they must decide to unite themselves and approach the monarch to save the nation from the ongoing chaos. For the time being everybody should forget their political manifestos, and party interest in order to stabilise the national situation. Once the national situation is stabilised, law and order is re-established even in the far flung areas of Nepal, corruption is controlled and checked, symbol of clean and credible administrative machinery is in firm position and the Maoists are brought within the national fold, then a fair and free democratic election could be conducted. It might take couple of years for this. Another option could be all parties including the Maoists should reach an understanding about forming a national government to hold elections and form government whoever wins the majority. But here one thing must be made clear. No sovereign, independent country would ever hold national/local elections when there are two parallel armies facing each other; one is a legitimate national army functioning under a legitimate government and the other is an illegitimate, illegal terrorists organisations run by illegal terrorist outfit.

Lined Up Tourism Programmes

By Mohan K.C.

THE slump in tourist arrivals for the past almost two years is not easy to digest considering the fact that the tourism sector has remained a mainstay of the Nepalese economy. It all started with various unfortunate incidents some two years back.

Potentials

With a record arrival of around 500,000 tourists during the Visit Nepal Year 1998, the subsequent years have proved to be quite a dampner. This does not, however, mean that no efforts have been made by the concerned ministry or the entrepreneurs themselves. It is just that the situation have not been in favour for attracting more inbound tourists.

Nepal has the potentials to lure more visitors. From the mighty Himalayas to the flat plains of the Terai, it has the variety that no other country possibly possesses. The art and architecture of some of its cities mainly the Kathmandu Valley has the power to attract other tourists besides the adventurous ones. The three cities of the Kathmandu Valley namely Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur are virtually museums in themselves. With so much to present the tourists, the fall in arrivals is certainly affecting the economy of the country.

Till a few years back earnings from tourists contributed much to the economy but the situation is different at present. The spur in tourist earning in the last decade or so saw many hotels open up. The heavy investment made and the employment opportunities provided in the hospitality industry was an outcome of the optimism that prevailed at the time that the tourism industry was set for steady growth. New products were designed and promoted. The formation of the Nepal Tourism Board was also motivated by the need for attracting more tourists.

But, unfortunately, not because of our indifference but because of untoward incidents in the country like the hotelier-hotel employee stand off and the violence perpetrated by the Maoists, the industry was badly affected. The thousands of people engaged in this sector are having a tough time making ends meet. Many hotels and restaurants have even laid off its workers unable to sustain them.

It is a fact that many of the big hotels are running at huge losses. This is all the more because the big ones have been built and operated from loans taken from financial institutions. For this the government has given assurance but how far it will be fulfilled is still a matter of speculation. For the present, things are running but without much benefit accruing to the entrepreneurs as well as in the form of revenue to the government. Even the Nepal Tourism Board is working on a shoe string budget. Many of its planned promotional programmes are in doldrums because of the paucity of funds because it runs from the two per cent tax that it receives from the hotels and restaurants.

Though this is not the peak season, the hopes for the autumn season also rests on improvement on all fronts. As for mountaineering activities there has not been much of a shortfall. Now, the autumn season will show how much we have worked to attract potential tourists.

In the field of mountain tourism, there is still some optimism. With the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) stepping up its promotional campaigns it can be hoped that there is still much that can be achieved. NMA is the only alpine club in the country and with its association with alpine clubs of other countries there is hope that the mountain tourism sector will remain robust. This Association works on the royalty fees that it receives from mountaineers for issuing climbing permits to 18 peaks also known as NMA peaks.

The good news now is that it has received permission from the government to issue climbing permits to another 13 peaks. Though the asking was for some 35 peaks, NMA has to satisfy itself, for the present, with 13 more. Still it is a good start as the government has realised that NMA can do the job of selling the peaks in a better manner as it has been doing with the 18 peaks that it has the right to.

As NMA's expenses is mostly derived from the permit fees-it was around Rs. 26 million last year-the rights to 13 more peaks would certainly help its revenue generation. This has become necessary considering the fact that NMA has two ambitious plans. The International Mountain Museum will be the first of its kind in the world and is scheduled to be completed by the end of May next year. This would be an added attraction and the stay of tourists could be extended by at least by a day or two. This is all the more true because it is located in Pokhara, the enchanting city of lakes, which without fail is included in the itinerary of almost all tourists.

Such a big project costs huge investment and NMA has well done in generating resources though it is not enough. These projects of NMA will prove to be new products to attract tourists.

Besides, if hang gliding, river rafting, mountain flights, visits to national parks, and so on can be vigorously promoted then there is no doubt that tourist flow will pick up.

Programmes

With many programmes lined up to celebrate the Destination Nepal Year, International Year of Mountains and the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the first successful ascent of Everest, there is hope of greater tourist arrivals. It is to the future that we must look and try to forget the gloomy past.