 |
|||
|
|||
| BOOK |
|
|||
|
|||
| BOOK |
Civil Conduct By applying theoretical tools, an expert appraises the performance and prospects of civil society organizations in Nepal By KESHAB POUDEL Whenever a society has jumped to a new level of complexity, marginalized groups, sensing new opportunities, have intensified their activities. As Alvin Toffler underscores in his book "The Third Wave", various groups, including intellectuals, are in a race to grab these new opportunities. Those excluded from the mainstream organize themselves to press new demands. Following the restoration of democracy in Nepal, a new complexity has appeared in the social order in terms of political, ethnic, intellectual and professional association. In the name of civil society, everyone has been talking about questions of morality, integrity, and honesty. How many people have the moral standing to raise such questions remains to be evaluated. Although Nepalese society has a long history of group dynamics, it is not like those of complex modern associations. In the last decade, civil society organizations have played positive as well as negative roles as they have become increasingly involved in diverse areas. Some areas are of little direct concern to the Nepalese people. Unlike political parties, which are responsible to the people, civil society organizations have largely enjoyed freedom of action without accountability. The functions and role of civil society in Nepal have helped generate a deepening public perception that personal motives rather than the national interest direct these groups. Compared to traditional associations, which were motivated by social interest and whose activities were service oriented, modern organizations are more prominent in rhetoric. It seems some of these institutions have only one motive: to seize new opportunities. In his effort to analyze civil society in Nepal, Dev Raj Dahal, a prominent political scientist, has explained its theoretical underpinnings and implementation modalities. Dahal evaluates various roles played by civil society in Nepal and their implications for the long-term growth of an open and participatory system. "In Nepal, where both the political society and economic society have a common utilitarian motive of maximizing power and wealth, the non-profit sectors — a world of the poor and powerless — are always being forsaken by concrete policy manifestation and by the democratization process. Paradoxically, many of these association, far from becoming an autonomous sphere, have become a part of the political society, political parties, institutions of elections, special interest groups and the state and, consequently, failed to perform civic functions," writes Dahal, in his introduction. In a country like Nepal, civil society can play a very important part in the development and democratization processes. Civil society organizations also face challenges and problems similar to those of government agencies. Although some non-governmental organizations are effective in influencing public policies on governance, a majority of them are mired in such problems as corruption, misuse of authority and unaccountability. From poverty alleviation programs to human rights and from democratization projects to anti-corruption campaigns, civil society has been playing a high-visibility role. But are they really accountable, transparent and democratic in nature? Although Dahal is critical of civil society organizations on some points, he seems more positive about their role in the execution and implementation of programs aimed at benefiting the people. "The civil society is expected to serve as a symbol of change for creating a modern, democratic and just state where rich and powerful are no longer above the law and where grassroots efforts to build social capital grow," writes Dahal. One of the important parts of the Dahal’s book is that it analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of civil society in Nepal. As a political scientist, he seems to be more concerned with the power structure and institutional of the civil society in Nepal. At a time when people are emphasizing the need to enhance the transparency and effectiveness of political parties and raising questions about the integrity and morality of leaders, can civil society activists remain beyond the pale of public scrutiny? Civil Society In Nepal |
Send your feedback to the
editor: spotligh@mos.com.np |
