A tale of modern Nepal

“Nepal: From Monarchy to Republic” by Professor Lok Raj Baral offers an insightful journey through Nepal’s political landscape, examining its transformation from a monarchy to a republic. The book comprises a comprehensive introduction, eight detailed chapters, and a thought-provoking epilogue.  Baral delves into various aspects of governance, constitutional development, political culture, and the challenges facing Nepal’s democracy.

The first chapter, “Institutional Crisis of Governance,” thoroughly explores the multifaceted governance issues that have plagued Nepal. Professor Baral provides a meticulous analysis of the country’s constitution, tracing its inception and the introduction of critical components such as federalism and secularism. 

He also examines the persistent trust deficit among Nepal’s political actors. Furthermore, the author critically assesses the parliamentary hearing system, deeming it formal, ritualistic, dysfunctional, and derogatory, particularly in the context of appointing judges to the Supreme Court. He also sheds light on the malpractices within the bureaucracy, the stagnation of administrative progress, and the dearth of innovative approaches to governance.

Professor Baral emphasizes the central role of the parliamentary system in Nepal and underscores its importance in other democratic nations. He notes that despite the autocratic tendencies of elected democratic leaders, the parliamentary system offers resilience and adaptability. Drawing a comparison with India, he highlights the parliamentary system’s effectiveness in addressing the diversity present in both countries. Recent Poland polls showed that autocracy is not inevitable. Democracy has the power to change, reform, and refine itself, and survive better.

The book delves into the intricate relationship between education and governance, with Professor Baral expressing concern about the deterioration of Tribhuvan University due to excessive politicization and partisan influences. He laments that many universities in Nepal have become hollow shells, lacking substance and content.

The connection between elections and democracy is dissected cogently, emphasizing that democracy encompasses more than just elections and government formation. It necessitates effective leadership, institutional efficiency, and other crucial elements. The author also addresses the issue of external interference in Nepal’s affairs, labeling it as "invited intervention." He highlights instances where leaders demonstrated resilience against external pressures, such as the decision to announce the Nepali Constitution despite external suggestions to delay it until a satisfactory solution was reached amongst all the political forces, including Madhesi parties.

He does not shy away from criticizing Nepali leaders for their history of unfulfilled promises and subservient attitudes. He recalls incidents where even leaders like BP Koirala sought to win favor with the monarch by displaying unwavering devotion to palace customs. This parent-seeking mentality, as described by Dor Bahadur Bista in his popular book ‘Fatalism and Development’, is reflected in the activities of our leaders then and now.

Intra-party conflicts and their consequences on democratization and political health are explored in detail. The rivalry between Nepali Congress leaders Girija Prasad Koirala and Krishna Prasad Bhattarai is examined, illustrating how democratic leaders sometimes compromise their principles to achieve personal gains. The book highlights how internal conflicts within political parties, including CPN- UML, have adversely affected democracy. Shankar Tiwari's book, "Kasle Sudharchha Congress," offers a comprehensive autopsy of contemporary political happenings and their implications in this context.

While Author  finds Pushpa Lal Shrestha to have believed in multiparty democracy with a republican form long ago and Madan Bhandari’s formulations not so new but ‘a jugglery of jargons and cliches’ used by the Communists of all lines, he is of the opinion that it was pragmatic enough understanding Nepal’s incompatibility with a one-party dictatorial regime. The writer does not find political parties to have taken a permanent shape and are seemingly in the throes of mutation and permutation. He also addresses the opportunistic nature of some political parties, which hinders the country’s democratic progress, both domestically and in its interactions with external powers. 

He argues that some left parties and “rashtravadi” club together and call the Nepal-India Peace and Friendship Treaty 1950 “unequal” and yet, they did not come out with any alternatives when they were in power. Why they didn’t opt for Article 10 of the treaty is beyond answerable. Professor Baral suggests that there is a lack of courage to abrogate the treaty, as it becomes a tool for scoring political points through nationalistic rhetoric.

He  touches upon Nepal’s foreign policy and its limitations in fully adhering to non-alignment and strategic autonomy, even when condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and rejecting the agreed State Partnership Program (SPP) with the USA. The author discusses the impact of Nepal’s recent diplomatic disputes, such as the ‘Chuchhe Naksha’ border issue, and suggests that it may have reached a point of no return, with limited room for compromise.

The chapter titled ‘Electocracy vs Democracy’ provides a thought-provoking analysis of elections in Nepal. Professor Baral notes that while elections may not always mirror political reality, they serve as a powerful vehicle for mobilization and democratic dynamism. Throughout the book,  he references concepts and insights from ‘How Democracies Die’, shedding light on the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by democracies. He examines grassroots democracy through local elections and scrutinizes the ability of voters to select their representatives effectively. He cites the 2022 local elections as evidence of the shortcomings of political parties. The book also delves into the deconstruction of ideologies and the dearth of effective leadership, highlighting these as challenges in Nepal's democratization process.

Economics of Governance chapter delves into Nepal's economic challenges, including a depleting economy and increasing debt. He provides a comprehensive analysis of various sectors, including tourism, agriculture, trade, and hydropower. The role of King Mahendra in land reform and its implications for agriculture are discussed briefly. The book draws from "Why Nations Fail" by Professors Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson to categorize Nepal as an "extractive economic institution," which serves a select few individuals and business entities closely aligned with government elites.

"The Native Construction of a Nation State," chapter explores the concepts of nation, national unity, and "Nepalization." He cites Frederick H. Gaige's assertion that "cultural homogeneity" is not a prerequisite for national unity, advocating for a diverse composition of the Nepali nation. He also credits Gajendra Narayan Singh with sowing the seeds of federalism in Nepal, which materialized in 2007 AD.

The author also highlights the significance of a sound foreign policy, smart diplomacy, and an inclusive approach to Nepal's military, particularly with regards to incorporating Madhesis. He asserts that achieving an egalitarian society requires equitable treatment of the poorest of the poor, Dalits, and other marginalized sections of society based on the principles of equity and social justice.