Publications
The New Dynamics of Conflict in Nepal
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The New Dynamics of Conflict in Nepal
Published by: The National Advisory Council - South Asian Affairs, Friedrich-Ebert Stittung (FES)
ISBN: 978-9937-2-1197-0
The New Dynamics of Conflict in Nepal is an edited version which features papers of 6 papers with an Introduction from leading political scientist of Nepal Mr. Dev Raj Dahal. The contributor of this volume are Prof. Bishnu P. Poudel, Prof. Hari Bansha Jha, Manish Thapa (Regional Coordinator of SARACN), Journalist Chandra Kishore, Dr. Som P. Pudasaini (former UNFPA Representatives in Sri Lanka and Maldives) and Advocate Dinesh Tripathi.
The Book is published by The National Advisory Council - South Asian Affairs, Friedrich-Ebert Stittung (FES).
Kathmandu Spring: The People's Movement of 1990
Kathmandu Spring: The People's Movement of 1990
On 20 January 1990, the outlawed political parties of Nepal declared the launch of an agitation to overthrow the monarchical Panchayat system and re-establish democracy. They chose to begin their movement on 18 February, the same day that the Rana regime had capitulated 40 years earlier. The Movement for the Restoration of Democracy came under strong attack from the king's government. But, ultimately, the people's will prevailed, and on 8 April, King Birendra lifted the ban on political parties and initiated steps towards establishing a parliamentary form of governance. This book provides a blow-by-blow account of the 60 days that ushered democracy's second coming in Nepal. Kiyoko Ogura has reconstructed this history from interviews with more than a 1000 individuals who were at the vortex of events to tell the story of how democracy was won by the people of Nepal.
The author, Kiyoko Ogura, lives in Nepal as a correspondent for the Tokyo-based Asia Press International.
Paperback. 232 pages. B&W photographs. Glossary; pull-out map.
Weight: 240 g (8.4 oz).
Item No 9993313092
Price: Price: $US4.50
The Dancing Democracy: The Power of the Third Eye
The Dancing Democracy: The Power of the Third Eye
When the Seven Party Alliance called for a four-day strike starting from 6 April 2006, the anniversary of Nepal's 1990 Jana Andolan, on one could have foreseen what would ensue. The protest brought hundreds of thousands on the streets, and family resulted in a victory for the proletariat and democracy.
As history is being made in Nepal, Prakash A. Raj takes a look at the main actors on the country's political stage -- the monarch, the political parties, the Maoists, the international community -- and analyses what happened in Nepal and why. He probes such questions as whether Nepal will become a republic or a ceremonial monarchy, who will control the Royal Nepalese Army and whether the Maoists will join the mainstream politics or will try and capture power.
Interspersed with striking photographs of the demonstrations held recently in Nepal, and how the power of the people prevailed. A must-read for anyone interested in south Asian politics.
A well-known writer, Prakash A. Raj is the author of Kay Gardeko? The Royal Massacre in Nepal. He comes from the family of Nepal's Royal Preceptors and his association with the ruling family dates back to the period of King Mahendra. Having studied and worked both in this country and abroad, he currently lives in Nepal.
Paperback. 148 pages. 40 photographs.
Weight: 170 g (6 oz).
Item No: 8129109468.
Price: $US3.00
Civil Society in Uncivil Places: Soft State and Regime Change in Nepal
Policy Studies, No. 48
Publisher: Washington, D.C.: East West Center in Washington
Publication Date: 2008
ISBN: 978-1-032728-76-7
Binding: paper
Pages: xi, 79
Abstract
This monograph analyzes the role of civil society in the massive political mobilization and upheavals of 2006 in Nepal that swept away King Gyanendra's direct rule and dramatically altered the structure and character of the Nepali state and politics. Although the opposition had become successful due to a strategic alliance between the seven parliamentary parties and the Maoist rebels, civil society was catapulted into prominence during the historic protests as a result of national and international activities in opposition to the king's government. This process offers new insights into the role of civil society in the developing world.
By focusing on the momentous events of the nineteen-day general strike from April 6-24, 2006, that brought down the 400-year-old Nepali royal dynasty, the study highlights the implications of civil society action within the larger political arena involving conventional actors such as political parties, trade unions, armed revels, and foreign actors.
The detailed examination of civil society's involvement in Nepali regime change sheds light on four important themes in the study of civil society. The first relates to a clear distinction between civil society as a spontaneous philosophical and associational form in the West and its mimetic articulation in the developing. The second addresses the nature of the relationship between civil society and political society and the way the former generates its moral authority and efficacy based on claims to universal reason, knowledge, and techniques of polymorphous power. The third theme explores the connection between the ideological and material basis of civil society and distinguishes between its autonomous Western origin and the recent growth in the developing world. Finally, civil society is examined in the international area: the example of Nepal reveals ways in which civil societies in the developing world are burgeoning as alternative policy instruments in interstate relations.
About the Author
Saubhagya Shah is Assistant Professor Anthropology in the Department of Sociology/Anthropology and Program Coordinator for Conflict, Peace, and Development Studies, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
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Looking Back, Looking Forward: Centralization, Multiple Conflicts, and Democratic State Building in Nepal
Looking Back, Looking Forward: Centralization, Multiple Conflicts, and Democratic State Building in Nepal
Policy Studies, No. 43
Publisher: Washington, D.C.: East-West Center Washington
Publication Date: 2007
Abstract
This study examines the causes of the multiple conflicts and crises in Nepal during the 1990–2002 democratic period and develops guidelines to avoid them in the future. In that democratic period, Nepal was extremely centralized, with power concentrated in the cabinet and accessed primarily by the caste hill Hindu elite males. Overcentralization of the polity resulted in the exclusion of national, ethnic, and caste groups, as well as women, and promoted a culture of impunity. It also contributed to the growth of the Maoist insurgency and facilitated government instability, corruption, and related crises. The democratic period, however, also witnessed successful sectors. The media flourished; communities reforested the hills; economic liberalization made available more goods and services; decentralization, though limited, took power closer to the people; and social justice movements raised issues of marginalized groups. The successful sectors could perform because the central state withdrew and allowed them space to operate. However, weak accountability limited their success. Devolution or concentration of power in the hands of the central government were the respective common factors underscoring the success or failure of programs. Based on these findings, and supplemented by global experience, the monograph argues that accountability and inclusion based on identity and class should be significant criteria in restructuring the state. The state needs to devolve power to different levels, branches, and agencies of government, to different national, ethnic, caste groups, and women, and reallocate power among the state, society, and market. Accountability mechanisms must be built into all organizations that wield power. A restructured state would become effective and have a greater chance of consolidating democracy.