Consolidating Democracy Political Parties Vital

By Khilendra Basnyat

DEMOCRACY is a competitive political system in which different political parties and individuals work in concert for the welfare of the country and the people. It includes full and free communication, consensus rather than coercion to settle any dispute and recognition of competence rather than the domination of a person or prerogative of power.

Struggle

Today, democratic government is considered the best system of administration. For this reason, many countries are adopting this form of government and many more are trying to adopt it. In Nepal, after a long struggle and many sacrifices, people brought democracy in 1951 and restored it in 1990. Actually, democracy not only provides freedom of speech but also the right to assemblies and organisations to the people.

After the restoration of democracy, the hopes and dreams of the people rose. They thought that democracy would bring progress and welfare in the country. However, the last twelve years have seen a decline in the euphoria that had arisen in 1990. In our country, politics has been treated like an ordinary earning profession for life's comfort. The growing trend of the political party in power to become an elected dictator after completing the formality of elections, is becoming a perilous phenomenon.

After the re-advent of democracy, political parties perhaps thought that democracy in itself would work as a machine without knowing how to use it. However, this is not possible in real life. In the past twelve years, politicians of different political parties made tall promises but could not fulfil them mostly. Hence, it is natural that the people have lost faith in most politicians.

In fact, parliamentarians could play a significant role in gearing politics towards development activities. However in the past, various kinds of harmful activities were rampant among parliamentarians. Horse trading, misuse of development passports, enforcement of bills to increase salary and perks of law - makers vis-a-vis avoidance of customs of cars and misuse of development budget were some of the anomalies worth noting.

No doubt, being a parliamentarian makes one privileged. However this does not give one the right to do anything that pleased oneself. This was a major question in the past twelve years. In reality, parliamentarians should comprehend well that the parliament is the place where people's representatives try to meet people's aspirations and find solutions to the problems that face the nation. The ultimate idea is to work for laws that aim at development and better quality of life for the people.In Nepal, politics has become totally amoral and inspired by the lust for power. This shortcoming cannot be blamed on the constitution. Its source has to be sought in ruling classes that have been expropriating the labour of the people, denying their rights as enshrined in the constitution. This has led to increasing people's sufferings from the leaders of the political parties from their own constituencies.Each political party in our country seemed to have developed its own vested interest and none of them was prepared to disclose its identity for the national interest in preference to its own self-interest. What is lacking is a sense of patriotism. Those in power behaved as rulers and not as people's representatives. The craze for power has caused an unfair impact on the country and the people.Since the past twelve years, there has been serious deterioration in the political situation in our country. In the past, the ruling party encouraged defection from the opposition parties through the misuse of power of patronage in order to remain power. The standard of morality has fallen quite low. This is testified by the fact that since the past twelve years political corruption has become chronic in our country. Time and again, corrupt leaders have been calling themselves as a pillar of democracy and preaching institutionalisation of democratic structures. However, there is no denying that political corruption is the root cause of evils in our society. It has shattered the tattered economy of our country.

Even after the restoration of democracy, our politicians lack vision and thoughts of their own. Politics of pragmatism guide them. They think and work as they would in the past. The decision and policy making hardly reflect any new idea nor do they show any receptive attitude. Apart from this, active youthful energy is lacking in our politics.

In democracy, public opinions should be heard, and translated into reality. However in our country, public opinions happen to be weak, the media of its formation as well as expression undeveloped and far from independent. Under these conditions, the politics of competition is proving to be unable to solve the problems facing the nation. Actually, power politics is aggravating and complicating many problems and in some cases hindering or showing down their solution.

In well-established democracy, the number of political parties should be small. There should be stability and discipline in such parties. Also, public opinion should be powerful and effective.
In our country, the picture in all these respects is depressing. For example, there are many political parties, party discipline is weak, causing splits and factions. Political morality is resulting in personal interest, superseding public interest.

In an underdeveloped country like ours, politics plays a disproportionately dominant role. Although much depends on politics it is the political situation, the juxtaposition of two sharply contrasted situations, which is causing anxiety.On the one side, our country's problems are found to be vast and numerous, on the other side, existing political institutions and processes are tending increasingly to promote disunity rather than unity, disruption rather than consolidation, negligence rather than devotion and parochialism rather than priority.In fact, the establishment of a working democracy in Nepal requires responsible as well as committed individual to be engaged in its infrastructure design and implementation. For this purpose, these individuals should have theoretical knowledge about democracy. It is because they assess how the educational process of democracy for ordinary people will be discriminated.

In democracy, the participation of all sections of the community in decision-making is important in order to ensure equal access for all the available resources. However, the historical representation of the weak sections of the people in decision making is inextricably linked with their inferior status in the society.Actually, democracy is not meant for a particular section of the people or for the people from a specified region. The greatness of democracy lies in accommodating the opinions of the minority.If democracy has any meaning, if every individual is to have to opportunity to exercise it, then it is essential to pool together the strength of the deprived as a collective force for generating wealth. Actually, this capital is superior in its wealth producing capacity than that collected by any individuals by exploiting human labour.

VitalIn reality, political parties are the vital elements for the consolidation of democracy. Hence, they need to find out about what they achieved in the last twelve years and where exactly they failed to translate their pledges into a fact of life.

The Relevance Of NAM

By Kedar Bilash Nagila

THE thirteenth summit of NAM (Non-Alignment Movement) is being held in Malaysia, instead of Bangladesh as was earlier agreed in Durban Declaration in 1998. As in the past, it will revitalise the movement creating a new vista and vision and reaffirming the commitment for peace and development. Similarly, the member states will share their views on issues, like international terrorism, globalisation, poverty alleviation and the Middle East.

Historically, after the end of the Second World War several independent and sovereign states came together on the political map of the world, creating a new challenge and responsibility to UNO.
After independence these emerging states had to face the problems of choosing a path of social development, economic growth and political system as well as international support in foreign affairs. These countries were said to be influenced by the ideological divide during the cold war. Their internal and external affairs were made much more complicated although they remained outside the ideology and blocs of superpower. So, under the banner of NAM, all newly free and independent states from colonial empires of Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania came together. The movement known as anticolonial movement was also defined as a struggle against apartheid, racism, and all forms of aggression, interference and hegemony.

Meanwhile, several military blocs under the name of NATO, CETO and WARSAW backed by the superpowers USA and then USSR were formed in order to intensify the ideological difference and distance of cold war. The bloc politics directly and indirectly affected the core issues of these developing, under-developed and land-locked countries. Then, they sought to choose a political course that would ensure real independence and promote political and economic interest in order to fight with poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. Further, it was expected to be an alternative system in international politics with mutual cooperation and solidarity.

Accordingly, a team of statesman like Nehru, Tito, Sadat, Nasser and Nkruma forwarded the idea of non-alignment and nursed it with five principles; peaceful co-existence, mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, equality and mutual benefit. It started to boost the confidence of developing countries even though there was a danger of interference from superpowers as well as from within non-alignment countries. At the same time, it was thought to be solidarity of Third World to lessen and to reduce hostilities and ideological confrontation between USA and USSR.Almost with euphoria, in 1955, an international Conference of these countries, and like minded countries was held in Bangdung of Indonesia. The participating delegates set forth and gave big hands to the idea of non-alignment. In other words, it was an indication of disassociation by themselves from Washington's and Moscow's policies. Agreement was signed to join the hands to strengthen their position as the non-alignment countries. Without bloodshed, the biopolar politics was transformed into a multipolar one. As a whole, the idea of peace and dependence and equality proclaimed in Bangdung has remained vital and valid even in the post-cold War Context. From Belgrade to Durban, through Cairo, Lusaka, Algeirs, Havana, New Delhi, Harare, Cartegena, Jakarta participating delegates have pursued independent foreign policy based on mutual trust and understanding.Unfortunately, the post Bangdung period was challenging for the non-aligned countries as military blocs SEATO, MEDO, and Baghdad Pact, emerged under the pretext of communist Agression and capitalistic hegemony. In the name of peace and security and democracy dozens of heart rending tragedies repeatedly hurt human aspiration and civilisation, including the overthrow of the monarchies in Iraq and Afghanistan in 60s'-70s'.

However, the number of member countries kept on increasing particularly in the period. Form 1961 to 1976 the number of its participating countries in the movement was more than trebled, nonetheless, there were so-called attempts to resolve tension in superpower policies and herald a New International Economic Order. It is noteworthy that these countries were not only newly free ones but also the states having longer history of independence. Of course, its members have certain ideological differences like Cuba, India, Singapore etc. But they share common interest, which are sufficient to ensure cohesiveness of the movement. As of now 114 countries have enjoyed the membership of NAM and practiced throughout the history for safeguarding independence and accelerating development since its inception.

The fact of the matter is that the problems these countries are facing are more or less the same in nature. The problems of poverty, corruption, refugees, illiteracy, money laundering, good governance, high population growth, trade and transit, sustainable development, debt relief initiation, management of environment and natural disaster, foreign loan, AIDS, interference of multinational co-operation in internal affairs, safeguarding independence and territorial integrity threat of terrorism, modernising agricultural sectors have made it difficult for all these developing, under developed and land locked countries to uplift the living standards of their peoples.

On globalisation issues, these countries can be neither friend nor foe. Either they should manage it, if not, they should let globalisation manage them. Since NAM's inception, its voice in UNO has failed be effective. The newly emerging powers Japan and Germany after unification have shown much desire to restructure and reamend UN system and asserted themselves /as alternative of veto power either increasing the permanent members of Security Council or amending the Charter whereas NAM voice seems always silent, shy and modest.As has been mentioned above, the world politics has become unipolar after the dramatic collapse of USSR changing the map of the world. Similarly, the new economic organisations and regional forums rather than military block or organisations have emerged as the determining force of the nation and the will of the people. Possibilities on economic diplomacy have been discusse focusing on income generating pro-people policies and result-oriented development. Under such circumstances, NAM seems to be overshadowed in many ways. The principles, aims and positions of NAM sound to be outdated in the changing context of the world in order to make it effective player in alleviating poverty and bridging the North and South for dialogue in collaboration with G-77 based on common interest and current realities.In conclusion, for all world's nation, whether they are big or small, the only road to future generation depends on consolidating principles of peaceful coexistence. It is only by extending the hands of peaceful coexistence with one another rather than by acting in isolation, peace forces can prevent growth of nuclear weapons, missiles and terrorism so the destiny of non-alignment countries is inseparable from the destiny of all mankind. It is also essential to have a clear idea of what aims this movement pursues, who it makes friends with and who its enemies are and what role it plays in the present situation. Let's wait and see if Kula Lumpur Declaration answers these questions.

Exotic Fish & Ecology

By Bhimsen Thapaliya

A SCIENTIFIC research has shown that the Rainbow Trout, a native fish of North American Pacific may adapt and grow well in Nepal's cold-water rivers but crucial environmental questions remain to be answered. Before any exotic species are introduced, it is highly important to assess what negative impacts they may have on the indigenous species. From the ecological point of view, careful approach is needed before release foreign fish in the local rivers even for study purposes. This is because the imported species may be carrying diseases and parasites with them. Once they enter the waters here, nobody knows what ill effects they are bound to leave in the rivers. In absence of sufficient ecological assessment, no one is in a position to say what repercussions will follow. The cost our rich bio-diversity should pay cannot be compared to the short-term commercial gains. On the assumption that no harms will be caused to our environment, the report that Rainbow Trouts are doing fine in the Nepalese natural waters is welcome. It is hoped that successful culture of this species will open up the source of proteinous food to the common people. The researchers involved in the study hope that Rainbow Trout culture in the cold water natural will increase availability of this nutritious food by many folds. There was a time when fish was a rare food and a privilege of a few. Fish supply used to be very slim as they used to come from the natural rivers only. But that scene took a major turn with the introduction of fish farming. Thanks to new agro technology and high yield species, fish culture witnessed a growth in the commercial scale. This brought fish food within the reach of an increased number of people. Trout culture in our rivers will not only make protein food cheaper but raise the tourism potential as well, said a wildlife researcher. He related the example of Bhutan where angling has emerged as a tourist recreation activity. The cold-water rivers in this Himalayan kingdom is now teeming with Rainbow Trouts, according to him. After getting environmental clearance, Trout culture may be exploited for this purpose in Nepal as well. The Rainbow Trout naturalisation research conducted in the Modi Khola, a hilly river west of Pokhara, came up with the result that growth performance of the fish was satisfactory. But the rate of survival was not so encouraging if we looked at the catch rate of the sample fish. Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC) had released five thousand trout fingerlings in the river. But only about a dozen fish could be collected for monitoring and analysis. It indicates that the survival battle they faced in the new habitat was tough. Even the scientists involved in the Modi Khola research suspect that considerable number of fish might have died while competing with the local species. When foreign fish species is introduced, there is naturally a competition for food and home. In this struggle for survival, one of the two competing parties may lose badly. That is where the ecological problem emerges. If the foreign species lost, the adaptability trial failed. If the local species lost, the bio-diversity is threatened. The result is best when the local and the foreign species befriend and live together.

According to the researchers, Rainbow Trouts are being tried in the natural habitat since its artificial culture is very expensive. One of the major feed ingredients is dried shrimp which has to be imported. If the fish may be cultured in running waters, the technique will cut cost of production. But thorough environmental assessment is needed before such a venture is launched.