Author: Mahendra Lawoti
Publisher: Sage Publications
Year: 2005
Language: English
Pages: 346
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0761933190
Description
The Maoist insurgency in Nepal, which began in 1996, has led to considerable political violence in which more than 10,000 people have already lost their lives. This insurgency began and grew dramatically because of the injustice and inequality inherent in Nepali society. Paradoxically, argues the author of this timely book, it was the restoration of democracy in 1990 that heightened awareness of these inequities and which encouraged the dispossessed to articulate their problems and aspirations.
Providing a comprehensive critique of the Constitution adopted in 1990, this book identifies it as an important factor in the exclusion of various ethnic and minority groups. It examines the causes for the lack of democratic consolidation in Nepal and outlines alternative institutions that can give voice to the various socio-cultural groups in the country. Dr Lawoti makes a case for setting up a new Constituent Assembly and for following the principle of self-determination to reform the polity. He also makes several important recommendations for the construction of an inclusive and democratic Nepal. These include:
Federalism
An elected powerful House of Nationalities
A proportional electoral system
Affirmative action policies and reservations
Declaration of a secular state
A centralized judicial review; and
The constitutional protection of minority rights
Overall, argues the author, unless Nepal’s ruling elite becomes sensitive to the needs of marginalized and excluded groups, the country could witness an escalation in violence. Highlighting a range of issues crucial to strengthening democracy in Nepal, this important book will appeal to scholars and students of Nepal-especially its government, politics and society-and of South Asian studies. It will be of equal interest to policy makers, development agencies and journalists interested in Nepal.
Contents
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
PART I
THE PROBLEM: EXCLUSION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES:
Political Exclusion in Democratizing Nepal
Exclusion and Violent Conflicts in Nepal: The Maoist Insurgency and Beyond
PART II
THE CONTEXT: Multicultural Society, Political Exclusion and Majoritarian Institutions
Cleavages, Conflicts and Sociocultural Groups
The Constitution as the Source of Exclusion
Inclusion in Multicultural Societies: Accommodation through Power Sharing and Autonomy
PART III
A METHOD FOR INCLUSION: DEMOCRATIC DELIBERATION
A Method for Selecting Inclusive Democratic Political Institutions
The Process for Designing an Inclusive Polity
PART IV
THE SOLUTION: INCLUSIVE DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
Federalism and Group Autonomy: Group Rights, Public Policies and Inclusion
Proportionality: Inclusion through Equality and Justice
Constitutional Protection of Minority Rights
PART V
THE FUTURE: A MULTICULTURAL DEMOCRATIC NEPAL
Multicultural Democracy: Congruence between the State and Society
REFERENCES
INDEX
ABOUT THE AUTHOR