Book Review (Spotlight Weekly)

Discourse On Democracy

The study reveals interesting facets about the democratic process

By A CORRESPONDENT

Nepal has been passing through a critical period in its history amid grave insurgency but most of the people are still enjoying the freedom given by the present constitution. Despite some shortcomings in the democratic process, a large number of people still defend the democratic process.

Conducted by political scientist Krishna Hachhethu, a study has shown that majority of Nepalese express satisfaction over the democratic process of the last thirteen years and its experiments in their country.

"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 on democracy," report states. "In Nepal, ethnic identity and national identity overlap. Ethnic/ regional identity by minorities could challenge national identity, which remains the prime identity."

Based on nationwide survey with interviews of 3249 populations, the report also reveals that in the imagination of a new Nepal, the location of monarchy is the big question. Nearly two third majority of respondents choose full-fledged constitutional monarchy rejecting republic and monarchy with power.

Report also shows that majority of Nepalese rejected privatization and market-led liberalization - 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.

"Surveyed Nepali citizens by a large majority, observe that democracy in its functional aspect is not in conformity with the way they understand it," said Hachhethu. "Surveyed Nepali seems concerned with the manner in which democracy has been taken to by the leaders of political parties."

Although surveyor tried to bring the neutral report, some results seem to be contradictory. The report came out with overwhelming support to monarchy as well as the demands of the Maoists, which include turning the state to republic.

Political scientist Hachhethu has long been writing supporting the demand of constituent assembly to settle the present political problems. The report also reveals the voices in favor of the constituent assembly. At a time when leaders of country's major political parties have been constantly demanding the reinstatement of House of Representatives, the report found no buyer of this idea. Following the publication of the report, many scholars raised this question.

However, from understanding the voice of minority to political systems and democratic experiments, the report tries to analyze almost all issues.

Although conducting survey and analyzing the results in a country like Nepal is very difficult and a complicated task, the report book - even though it has some contradictory results - has shed some light on certain aspects of the thinking of Nepalese.

"The report is an outcome of a collective effort, made at both national and regional levels, of several persons and institutions who have been involved in the State of Democracy in South Asia Project in different capacities and rules," writes Hachhethu. "Credit goes mainly to the investigators who demonstrated their confidence and enthusiasm in carrying out fieldwork despite the situation of armed conflict."

State of Democracy in Nepal
Survey Report
Published by: State of Democracy in South Asia/ Nepal Chapter in Collaboration with International IDEA
Pages: 187
Price: Undisclosed