An interaction with three eminent German scholars

Over three decades long association in the profession of journalism, I must admit, I didn’t know much about the term democracy in its truest sense. The reason for that is simple and clear. I began my career in this field when the nation had already enforced Panchayat System. To be more specific, it was in the year 1968-69 when I entered into this noble profession and the Panchayat came into being around early 1960s. So a sizeable chunk of my career I spent during the Panchayat rule. Perhaps this applies to all of my contemporary colleagues also. I couldn’t know about democracy because Panchayat had nothing to do with democracy as such. Some called it a "guided democracy". Albeit it claimed to have been practising that having its own noble justifications.

Later in 1990, when democracy was restored in the kingdom then I began learning as to what democracy was in effect. In the process, first I met a US scholar from Stanford University, Dr. Larry Diamond- who in fact briefed me about the ABC of democracy. Dr. Diamond also enlightened me with the role of media in strengthening the newly established democracy. He told me about the charismatic role of the term "consensus" in carrying forward the democratic practices in a new democracy to what we had in Nepal. And many more things he made clear to me.

Next, I met yet another Professor from Japan. He was Seizbro Sato. During his short stay in Kathmandu during 1992, Prof. Sato made various lectures organised by POLSAN on democracy. His lectures impressed me to a greater extent and I couldn’t control my temptation to seek an interview from him for my weekly. The Professor agreed and later my readers liked the contents of the interview wherein the eminent Japani scholar made clear that "among all the worst systems functioning in the world democracy had been found to be the best one." Prof. Sato also made revelations on how and why the third world countries more often than not see the "reversals" of democracy but yet he assured my readers that the current period being that of global democratization hence no country in the globe can sustain for long the autocratic systems. Understandably, Professor’s interview made me more serious in knowing yet more intrinsic elements, which one could find in a democracy.

Being in a creative profession, I utilized all the available moments since then whenever I happened to meet scholars of the sort of Dr. Diamond and Seizbro Sato.

It should have been in March 1995, I had the honor to listen to the lectures of the two visiting German scholar e.g.: Prof. Thomas Meyer and Prof. Rainmund Seidelmann. At a talk programme organised, March 20, by the Nepal Foundation For Advanced Studies (NEFAS) the two brilliant scholars from Germany surprised their audience when they took the floor respectively and spoke on various aspects of socialism and Democracy. I was so impressed by their presentation that I immediately thought of inviting the two scholars for a "meet the press" program at my office. My idea was accepted and the two Professors attended the press meet organised by this weekly March 25, evening.

Dr. Heinz Bongartz, the then Delhi and Kathmandu representative of the FES (Friedrich Ebert Stiftung) supported me in materialising the Press- Meet. Understandably, he too participated in the function which was well attended by over twenty competent Nepali journalists.

Initiating the discussion, Dr. Bongartz highlighted the endeavors of the FES in bringing the SAARC seven together through various lecture programmes and seminars. The FES representative made clear hat if the nations of the SAARC cooperated with each other the benefits accruing out of such cooperation were multifaceted. He however also warned the countries that if they don’t cooperate then the damages, or for that matter, the losses were also colossal. He sincerely urged the SAARC- 7 to come closer and enjoy the benefits of cooperation.

I’m told, Dr. Bongartz is now in the Phillipines as the FES chief. I wish he were here to see the present day Nepali politics.

Next, it was the turn of Professor Thomas Meyer to begin his discussion. Professor Meyer opined that the Soviet Union Collapsed simply because the prevailing system couldn’t fulfill the latent aspirations of her own population. In his opinion the USSR’s socialism was not a clear model and lacked the elements which could have made it an alternative to capitalism. Asked by Nepal Journalists as to what he would suggest to Nepal under the current scheme of things, the learned professor mildly said that no one possessed the right to dictate Nepal on what to do and what not. "It was up to Nepal and her leaders" who must remain at the top on how to carry forward the country" – Meyer added. Elaborating his feelings the Professor told the gathering that the country might be a small one but yet Nepal possesses all the potentials and ingredients which if chanellised properly then no force on earth can retard her progress. In the same breath he also maintained that during his short stay in the capital he observed that the intellectuals were all serious about the strengthening and the consolidation of Nepali democracy. This was a good sign said Professor Meyer.

Later the same Professor accepted to be the key note speaker of a Telegraph weekly seminar in the year 1998. The chief guest of the said seminar was the then French Ambassador Michael Lummaux—a very good friend of this weekly.

Now it was the turn of Professor Reinmud Seidelmann, Jena University, Germany, to initiate his observations. Prof. Seidelman began by saying that the role of the Fourth Estate in a new democracy was very crucial one. The German scholar opined that if Nepal’s young democracy fails then the mediamen here should also accept the blame that it had been their failure in not having been able to sustain this democracy. "You have to accept your failure" stressed the German scholar. In his opinion though the cold war was over but yet the world had been plagued with various ailments such as poverty, nuclear proliferation, injustice, instability, ethnic conflicts and etc. The solution to all these ailments, opined Seidelmann-lay in the global democratisation and various other related factors.

Before I conclude let me quote a small paragraph from the book entitled "Social Democracy An Introduction" written by Prof. Meyer where he says. "Without democracy there can be no socialism. Rule of law and freedom to criticise and oppose the ruling system are essential to any society worthy of man. Where democracy is destroyed, freedom no longer exists.

I am told again that Professor Meyer is close to the current Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder.

I wish I could meet all these scholars yet again in Nepal who could enlighten me on various aspects of democracy and contemporary world events.

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