Nepal Poverty: Correlation Between Democracy and Development
By Govinda Bahadur Ghale
Comment of the Moment
The 11% reduction in poverty was a surprise, but long-term economic policies take time to show effect. The effect of ongoing conflict and economic and political isolation that King Gyanendra has put Nepal in, will not be felt right now. Give 2-3 more years, then the true effect will begin to show. We should not forget that numbers are deceiving; Saddam Hussein won 99% votes every time there was an election. I do not have any data to confirm the increase in income, whether it is increase in real income or nominal income.
I tried to open some documents from the National Planning Commission website but it did not open. Right now Nepal is going through the 10th Plan, and I had the opportunity to read the ninth plan. The plan was awesome, and even if 10% of the plan was implemented, I can assure you, Nepal would be comparable to some South East Asian countries.
From my observation, there is some positive correlation between democracy and development. There are some exceptions like, China and Singapore (which once upon a time was somewhat autocratic, and it was during those times it made such huge economic progress).
I believe that democracy provides opportunity for people to get involved in decision making, it empowers them. Forget increase in income, true development happens when people have opportunities and can decide for themselves. All of you please read the UNDP Human Development Report 2004. It is such a good report, and explains how economic, political and social environment effect economic development. It is an easy read, and it will give you the true economic picture of our country.
If you have read Developmental Economics, then you all must have come across the statement “A country is poor because it is poor.” This statement says that poverty is a vicious cycle, due to the lack of resources and human capital poor countries will always remain poor. If you think about it for a moment, then it is true to a certain extent. Just give some thought to it.
UWB will be posting some of the best comments (based on arguments presented in the write-up) as a separate blog in Democracy Wall catagory. This is one example. We believe in pluralism. Posting a comment as a separate blog does not necessarily mean our endorsement of the ideas presented in the write-up. This comment was originally posted by the writer in this post: Look Ma, My Poverty Reduced
27 Comments »
Govinda Bahadur Ghale says from his observation,there is some positive correlation between democracy and development. It is true there is a littel correlation between development and democracry. It is a debatable issue for development scholars.
By the way Gale Jee, have done emperical works to show that there is signinficant relationship with development and Democracy. I think with my some emperical works there is not much contribute of democracy to the development. Still we can aruge what are development and democracy? In economics, there are always expections just you have mentioned in your comments.
Another issue I like to raise here that Gale Jee says he believes that democracy provides opportunity for people to get involved in decision making, it empowers them. Yes , it is true if the majority of peolple can judge the actions of leaders what is right or wrong. I think in our Nepal case, the majority of people are not enough informed to make a decision. We cannot make a wise decision thorugh participating in elections process simply we do not have a maority of educated people.
With my own observation in my villages, political leaders used to buy the votes with some wine(raski) adn a liitle money to win the election. How we can say that Democracy sysmtem will help to choose a good leader in Nepal? I am not suggesting the democracy systme is wrong itself, but we must be alert how this systm function in Nepal? My suggestion is to improve our human capital in Nepal which will bring democracy, wealth and peace in lives of ours.
By the way I like to ask you a question, Does development help democracy or democracy help development in Nepal?
Comment by Pashupati — 5/7/2005 @ 12:15 am
ghale,
have you heard of a guy called amartya sen? he won nobel prize. and he has this crazy idea called human development index. ring a bell? i heard him once say that poverty is the lack of freedom to choose. sen must be crazy. only that he has empirical evidence to back his claims (and he won a sorta big prize) and you don’t/haven’t.
if you have the time, read his book called ‘development as freedom.’
and pashupati, if you could post your “emperical” work for us to see, it would be great. its not only sufficient to delude yourself when making claims – you have to get reviewed by peers too.
Comment by rukum — 5/7/2005 @ 1:55 am
Pashupati jee, I have to disagree on your views that only educated people make good and informed decisions. Let me remind you that one can acquire knowledge through experience and observation too.
As you said people need information to make decisions; if you think that way then you should not disagree with the fact that usually media prospers in democracy. Media is the biggest and the richest source of information for the public. Politicians can lie to people 2-3 times but once people have experience and information they are capable of making wise decisions. I agree that politicians did win elections in some instaces by distributing money, but believe me Pashupati jee if democracy had survived longer, politicians would not be able to survive on that tactic. The best thing about democracy is that people have the power to make decisions. Recently BJP lost elections in India, outsiders were amazed but I talked to many Indian nationals, and they said that people in rural India could not enjoy the economic progress made by the country, because it only concentrated in the urban regions.
In a democracy each person in the country has a chance to come to power, if one is capable then one can always become a prime minister or a minister. It is not that you have to be born as a SHAH or born in a wealthy autocratic family.
Comment by Govinda Bahadur Ghale — 5/7/2005 @ 1:56 am
rukum,
I am reading Amartya Sen’s book during the summer. Thanks.
Comment by Govinda Bahadur Ghale — 5/7/2005 @ 2:07 am
I go for GB Ghale. “Bihari Shaili” and “Bihari” democracy have been over used metaphors in the past decades in Nepal. Royalists, democrats, Maoists all used and abused them so much that they carry little analytical value. I agree with Ghale that the media plays a great role; and somehow mediates/moderates, to use statistical jargons, the relationship between polity and development. Also in the United States during the last presidential election, the issues of vote buying for hasis/cocainne, tempering with voters’ list etc featured prominiently. I only could chuckle comparing all this to our own democracy. But it works somehow and some ways…To take an example, when GP Koirala went to the mid-term polls in 1994 looking for a two-third majority, he was duely punished; people just sent his party to the second largest. It works somehow….
Comment by Save Nepal (savenepal@gmail.com) — 5/7/2005 @ 4:12 am
Indeed, I read a little about Sen( I think this is a great Indian economist) in one of my economics classes, but a long time ago, I cannot recall much of his ideas in development process. If I remember correclty he talks about national saving stuffs.
Ghale Jee, I am not suggesting the democracy system is bad itself, but suggesting how you implement the values, norms and so on of the decomcracy system. I think most of us Nepalis have witnessed painful implementation of democracy in Nepal where most of corrupted ( illed-minded) leaders frquently rules all the time. I wonder do we honestly believe that GP, MKN, Deuba,B. Gautam are honest leaders of Nepal? Didn’t they had a chance to make better democracy system in Nepal? These leaders who refuged to go for the Constitutional Assembly? These leaders called themselves belive in people’ votes? You, I and alike must the raise these issues rather than supporting blindly Yesterday’s failure leaders. The democracy is beautiful thing in Nepal until it works on favor of the Nepali people.
I strongly believe that educated people generally make wise decisions, and have the ability ot analyze the information what they are getting. I honestly think that Nepali people must put emphasis on educating their sons, daughters, brothers, and friends from all sides of the society.
Ranas knew the power of education, so they did put effort to educate the Nepali people, The Shahs tryied some to educate people, but not on a quality people because they could afford to send their family memebr abroad like the UK to study. Even so- called people’s representatives (in 14 years)lacked to bring a solid policy toward educating people, rather they focused to send their sons, daughters, abroad at the costs of the Nepalis people. You asked Bharat Mohan Adkikary , how many his relatives he has sent to China? Likewise you asked to Govida Raja Jopshi ?
I came from a farming family who have no formal education therefore I have a great desire to improve the education system of Nepal which ultimatley benefit all the Nepalis, but not Only who could afford to send abroad for schooling.
I belive in tomorrow, but the past failed leaders, in Nepal ,believe in yesterday. I honesty think that We need to look at new approach to the past failed leaders. They were tested in 2017 and how We all have witnessed again in last 14 years. I was very young to know all about Panchayat But enough old to know the last 14 years. Let work on build a better Nepal for the Nepalis. The people must be involved, there is no questions. The question remain how we can involve the Nepalis in building the better Nepal.
Ghale Jee, I think you still have not responded my previous two questions on my first comments on your articles. For Rukum Jee, please post your e-mail address I will e-mail you my research. But it not published or anything that is plausible, it was just one of parts of homework assignments. Again, the development had many definations, so it varies among persons, therefore what I call development may differs from you and others.
Comment by pashupati — 5/7/2005 @ 4:47 am
There is no questions, the medai is cornerstone of democracy. I’d like to raise the questions how many people have access to the media like Kantipuronline, Nepalnews, blog.com.np, the kathmandu post, Dristi, Deshantar and so on? By the way, my favorite the Nepali Times, I do not want to miss it.
I think at lase the People must be able to interpret the information that they are getting like what sources, by whom, to whom and so on. In my village, we donot get kantipur or Dristi o r that matter no medias news that write about my village problems or issues? So called the Medias are for the elite group of Kathmadu’ s people who have better access to the media than they rules the country.
Comment by Pashupati — 5/7/2005 @ 5:28 am
Pashupati jee,
I already answered your question, I believe that democracy helps development. I would be glad if you could email me your report too. Pashupati jee, some of the information you provide is too hard to believe. Where did you get this information that Shah’s and Ranas tried to educate the people??? If I recall correctly then it was Chandra Shumsher who said “Mailey aafnai khutta ma bancharo haney” after he started Tri Chandra college. Forget the Shahs’ they did nothing for thirty years, if they had done anything for the people then the 1990 popular democratic movement would never have happened.
Pashupati jee, I know there was bad leadership during the democracy days but please do not start losing faith in democracy itself. It was better than what KG is doing right now. At least you had the power to decide your fate, not anymore. Corruption can always be controlled and people can always be held responsible for their actions, if constitutional bodies (election commission, CIAA, Judicial System)are nurtured. Please do not stop believing in the system, future of the country depends on the hope and faith of the youth.
Comment by Govinda Bahadur Ghale — 5/7/2005 @ 7:58 am
Pashupati:
Many pople belive in tomorrow. I appreciate your idea that
we need to look at new approaches. You say: “They were tested in 2017 and how We all have witnessed again in last 14 years.” Whom are you referring you? Who failed?
I don’t believe that you were a “very young” to remember the Panchayat. Cleary, you remember 2017 BS. Yes, we need a new thing, unlike of the past 14 years, but you can not brand the 2017-2046 as a brand new.
Comment by Save Nepal (savenepal@gmail.com) — 5/7/2005 @ 8:02 am
Really,Its poverty or poor?
Comment by sunilkumar — 5/7/2005 @ 9:26 am
Sorry for misspelled Ghale jee, Indeed , I was trying to say that The RANAs did nothing to educate the people, the Shah of the Panchayat did better than the Ranas , a 14 years rulers did not even try to amend the education system which was initiated at the Panchayat’ time. I am a 2046 slc graduate, so I consider myself a panchatyati stytem educated in terms of SLC. Indeed, the Panchayat had produced great SLC students who are now professionally employed around the world i.e. Kulchandra Gautam who is employed at the UN system. Please do not consider here that I am suggesting the Panchayati education system was the best.
Regrading the development, would you please show me where I can find that a Democracy system helps to economic development growth. I have found that government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, control of corruption, environment sustainability, and pysical infrastructure, human capitals, economic policy both taxes and the monetary policy and so on help to the economic development of a country. I assume that you are aruging that so called developed nations have better all the variables I have mentioned earlier, and happened to be the democractics society more or less. Therefore the democracy helps to economic growth. It is all I am assuming that your point. I may wrong here. Or I can argue that India is one of the bigest democratic country in the world still far away from developed nation. But Bharat is improving its economic grwoth at past pace, so China which is a just opposite of India in terms of democractic sytem.
Therefore, I really cannot say that democracy is the only way to improve the economic development of a country.
With this in mind, in the context of my country, Nepal. We have experienced a failed multiple party system which have failed to prove that the system can fulfill basic dream or needs of ordinary Nepalis like education, health, communication and so on. On the other hand, Nepal have painful experienced in those black days of Panchayat.Even you could not speak anything you disagrees with your PANCH.
The last 14 years periods was very important for all the Nepalis who have put their faiths in the Multi-party systm.Unfortunatly, the corrupted, greedy, ill-minded, short- term opportunists party leaders took advantage of our innocent farmers, and villagers.
Here is really an interesting thing, when they(political corrupted leaders) were in Power 3 months ago, this constition was working, when they are out of power this constitution became non-fuctional. To me 3 months ago also they were not elected by the people so I do not give a damn for their arguements that they were people’s representative. I personally think most of leaders of NC and UML are # 1 enemy of the democracy sytem of Nepal. They dis-solved the representative body and wanted to stay in power for ever. How do you look this drama? On the other hand, so called people’s war people, they are killing our own Nepalis brothers and sisters to gain the political power. On June 1, 2001 my great KB and the head of the state got killed , No one dare to investigate in a scientific way. So called then elected leaders were hidding beneath bed. In short it is a messy in My country, I donot know when I can wake up to clean all these the dirty people who are adulrating our society. Therefore, I ask to discuss to find a new approach that will purfify my Nation, Nepal and Nepali. Wake up my brothers, and sisters. Lets start a heathly communication from this site. Namste.
Comment by pashupati — 5/7/2005 @ 11:01 am
Read at least two books to know poverty if you are grown up in so-called city of Nepal like Kathmandu. Otherwise, you must be familiar with poverty. Just compare yourself and anybody in your neighbor who did not pass SLC. Further, just compare yourself with a family of so-called untouchables, and see the difference. What do you do to reduce the gap between yourself and the others. That’s the bottomline and unfortunately, failed to understand by “sahariya babus ” of Nepal. If you are really like to know about Nepal’s poverty analysis, check this website http://www.nepalresearch. com and click on Heidelberg Papers in South Asian and Comparative Politics (HPSACP).
Comment by republic nepal — 5/8/2005 @ 3:00 am
Hi Republic Nepal;
I am from a poor family, I donot need to read a book that has written from a wealthy nationality in order to about the plight of poor nepali family. Are u dancing in the tone of INGO in Nepal?
Comment by Pashupati — 5/8/2005 @ 4:04 am
Repubic Nepal,
If you compare people of Kathmandu from Heidelberg,Guess what you see the big disparity? Regarding touchable or un-touchable , it’s your perception. To me all human beings are touchable.
Republic Nepal, I donot get it your points? you went to untouchable to SlC passed, to poverty? What it means? Read my previous comment carefully and raise the issues you if disagree.
Do you think you only know about Nepal and Nepali people? I have friends from all sides of corner of the Nepali society.
I am from a poor family, I donot need to read a book that has written from a wealthy nationality in order to know about the plight of poor Nepali family. Are u dancing in the tone of INGO in Nepal?
Comment by Pashupati — 5/8/2005 @ 4:17 am
Pashupati jee,
You can argue that KC Gautam is a SLC graduate of the Panchayat era, and I can equally argue that Baburam and Prachanda are also more or less of the same era. What I am trying to say is, by pinpointing out some exceptions, you cannot credit the whole system for it. My argument for democracy is the same. Some so called leaders tarnished democracy, but there were poeple like Ganesh Man Singh and Madan Bhandari too. I have read so many times in this blog site, and I would like to remind you again; Democracy is a process, for it to run smoothly and efficiently it needs time and adjustments. Tell me honestly, if there had been an election would you have voted for these leaders again??? I say, hell no…..because you would have learnt from experience. But, if KG remains oppressive, will you be able to vote him out of power? Never.
You just cannot claim that democracy failed in Nepal. We were just depressed with the progress we made, our expectations were too high when democracy was restored in 2046BS. All of us thought it would work like magic, and we failed to realize that it is just another system. But most of us had not lost hope, and we are still hoping and struggling to get democracy restored.
Pashupati jee, I never claimed that democracy was the only way to improve economic development of the country. I was saying it provides leverage to the development efforts through broader/mass participation, free speech/thought and empowerment.
Comment by Govinda Bahadur Ghale — 5/8/2005 @ 6:43 am
Ghale Jee,
I think we are on the boat, I would like, at least, to think if they are other alternatives to these failed leaders in Nepal. I agree with 110 percent with democracy. I think we shold look if they are any other options to implements of cornerstones of democracy, like press freedom, elections, right to assmley and so on.
Comment by pashupati — 5/8/2005 @ 9:29 am
Pashupati jee,
There are alternatives for people but not for democracy. We can either live poor and free or accept poverty under KG.
Comment by Govinda Bahadur Ghale — 5/8/2005 @ 10:00 am
Ghale Jee,
We always can argue that what’s the best way to protect of norms, values of democracy system. There many forms of democracy in the world, I think in Nepal case the form best of democracy system has to be found yet. You look at US presendential systems, the French system, German System, and like the UK system which I belived what Nepal has or had.
I hope you are not misreading me, When I pointed out few things of failed leaders of both NC and UML. That does not me I support the KG system.
If you are a truely believer of democracy in Nepal why donot you raise issues of the misleading of corrupted leaders? How long Nepal can afford to put those corrupted leaders in the power without elction?
I asked you, when Deuba is appointed PM by the KG, it is okay.And it is democratic. If the KG fired Deuba it is undemocrastic? I donot understand what’s the logic behind this? I have frequently mentioned this in previous my comment. Once this Deuba and the group of other parties dissolved the elected body. They are no longer people’s representatives. You can aruge their party leaders, but not the average Nepali people’s representatives.
For the KG, he is the head of the state, you believe it or not, In my opinion, He is palying his games with legaly. Here I means that Deuba and other party disolved the elected body and gave it to the KG. I heard that when you disolved the elected body, you must go to election within 3 or 6 months which has never happened. The Deuba and other parties went to the KG, advised the KG that the deuba government cannot hold the general election within 6 months; therefore Deuba asked for his long tenure of his government without the election. The result you know all.
As the KG’s terms the “Incompentent Deuba, Fired” the silly Deuba he became the PM again with the KG’s terms. Again the Deuba fired with the KG’s term.So you tell me the answer? What should think? as a college student, I can clearly see the points, but I am not going to support NC nor UML leaderships.
If you think there is no alternative system of implementing democracy, that’s your opinion which I fully respect your opinion. But In my opinion, the best alternative implementing democracy system has to come in Nepal, yet. Please feel free to comment.
Comment by pashupati — 5/8/2005 @ 11:54 am
Pashupati jee,
This comment did not start on a political note, at least I was not talking about the corrupt leaders. I have my own opinions about the corrupt leaders, as does everyone else. If we start talking about them then we will start going in circles, lets not talk about the past, it is not going to change. I can empathize with your frustration against the corrupt leaders; we should be planning for a better future now and learn from our past mistakes. Maybe we should devise a democracy that makes the public more powerful, it is our fault that we let all those leaders do whatever they did. We did not mount a single organized protest when the “Pajero” bill was passed, instead we watched in ’shock and awe’ as the members of the parliament unanimously clapped their hands when that thing was passed. Regarding the monarch, they are more of a liability to the country, their intellectual capacity does not deserve the respect the people of Nepal give them. One way or another, they are always meddling with democracy. We need some dynamic leaders who can take the palace’s grip out of the RNA, and make people more powerful. That should be our focus the next time we have democracy in our country.
We have the opportunity to start fresh again. get rid of the corrupt blood and bring in some one with a new vision and values.
Comment by Govinda Bahadur Ghale — 5/8/2005 @ 12:43 pm
Ghale Jee,
I think your brought up the KG issue? Can you please answer the questions that I have raised about the Deubans and other political parties?
Comment by pashupati — 5/8/2005 @ 9:14 pm
These political parties even could handle the parilimentary system? How could I believe they will handle the RNA without the KG? Ghale jee
Comment by pashupati — 5/8/2005 @ 9:20 pm
Pashupatiji,
A bit about the bunch of the people called the RNA. From the day when they could not save a single member of KB’s family, I have given up calling them Royal. The then army commaner told the investigation commitee that “it was not a duty of his men (sorry, I don’t want to call it the RNA).”
They were trained for chakari ( reflection of which can be seen in their daily communication practices). They were not trained for professionalism. So they don’t qualify to be named an “Army.”
Look at their final hypocricy: one army commander publicly said before the first emergency that “they are ready to fight the Maoists, but they needed an all-party support.” Not a bad idea, I thought then. Now look at them, they want every one to be silent or jailed. Look how they function: the world knows by now that this bunch called the RNA is more gruesome in extrajudicial killings and rights abuse than the Maoist terrorists. Look at their resistence to investigations; they want a free licensce to kill the people. Evidently, they are not for Nepal and Nepali. Hence I hate this phrase called “Royal Nepalese Army.”
How do you feel in New York? When one of the American professors I am in touch with emails me showing the Nepal “army” abuse records, my head bows down in shame. I know I am typing all this in emotion. Believe me sometimes I fell like disbanding these hooligans here and now.
Also, don’t forget that the army high brass is related to KG (or any other Kings in history) by blood or marital ties. You might ask what about D. Gurungs. Look at his strategic position at the public relations office. Dictators are smart people. It gives the people feeling that the army is more than Shahs…Ranas…Thapas. It is not. It sounds contradictory, elite containment and distribution of selective benifits is the common factor to all dictatots in the world.
Having painted this bleak picture, the question is: Ke Garne?? Unfortunatley, I don’t have answers. But I trust in people’s ability, their power to make mistakes, learn, make mistakes, relearn. They should be given chance. We should return to democracy; a free enviornment where people can discus their views freely should be created. Only then perhaps can we find out solutions. It is slow and painful, but perhaps in the interest of all of us.
Comment by Save Nepal (savenepal@gmail.com) — 5/8/2005 @ 11:58 pm
Save Nepal, good points, I agree with your view on RNA. I am not the supporter of the KG period. But as a Nepali, I feel I have a responsibilty to speak up agaist what I think are wrong. But It is just my opinion, but not the fact.
I think you agree with the facts that I have frequently mentioned that Deubas, UML and other party leaders disolved the elected boby and could not able to hold the election within the time frame establidhed by the Nepali Constitution 1990 or1991. After that they asked to the KG for a long tenure of their govrnment. It was unacceptable for the average Nepalis therfore the average Nepalis are not behind these with the short -sighted leaders.
These leaders were silly when local elections could not held at that time, they wanted to go for mid-term general election. How do you look at these so-called, people- orientated leaders? In the Moral ground, these leaders should immediately side -lined themselves. Firt fall, these illed leaders have no vision for Nepalis and Nepal.
These parties were born at the era of the Rana and have the same mentality of the RANAs. We need a very differnt approach to launch a new democratic society in Nepal. We need to explore all the avenues, I think we should not look at only the parilmentary system is best democractic system in Nepal. I am not an expert in Political Science, but at least we can start thinking about new approach to solve presnt crisis of Nepal. I honestly believe, we are not going to see any positive changes from these two parties in Nepal( at least for this hour of time).
These leaders lost the goodwill and moral trust of the general Nepalis that includes me. When you lost the trust, it takes a long time to build one.But I always trust in a More democractic Nepal has to be come.
I hope someone somewhere there is a Nepali who came break the cold ICE sooner or later.
Comment by Pashupati — 5/9/2005 @ 1:53 am
Pashupati,
I agree. But still you can count these names in your hands: people like Girija, Deuba, Khum Bahadur, Gupat, Wagle, Joshi, Sujata,…..You might add a dozen or two more, right? I think that democracy was completely able to weed out these people. How??
I might repeat it: When Girija went to the mid-term polls looking for the “two-third” majority, his party was duely punished by the people. A number of his ministers lost their elections (showing “booth capturing” and “money power” don’t work always)!!! Don’t you think that people were learning to choose their rulers? Consider again thousands of “local” leaders in Nepal’s more than 4000 VDCs. Don’t you think that new leaders were emerging from within? Also consider vibrant activism about caste, ethnicity, gender…(hope you don’t consider these as detrimental to the economic “development”). Well, there were instances of footpath railings breakings, strikes and so on. I do not have statistics, but I suppose these things were decreasing slowly. Let me make it clear, I don’t take all this negatively, this is how people demand their things in-between periodic elections. Compare this with the peaceful Panchayat: you were not allowed to go to streets demanding your needs. Elections or not elections, rulers’ fancies were read as people’s demands. Was the Panchayat any better than loss incurred from broken railings or strikes in democracy?
Like you, I feel exytremely uneasy to accept the leadership of many people in the picture. Again, call it my bias, I believe they are lesser evils. Why? you will alwasy have choice to root out these leaders. What will you do if KG fails to control the Maoists (about which I am 200% sure he can’t)? Will he go for meditation in the Himalays? Will he take a nice helicopter and fled? My worst fear is that like many dictators, he will go for an even intense killing spree. Truely we will be fighting a war of all against all.
Like you, I only can hope that this will never happen; but I pin my hope on democracy however imperfect it might have been in the last 15 years.
Comment by Save Nepal (savenepal@gmail.com) — 5/9/2005 @ 3:57 am
Save Nepal
I agree there are some positive changes have been taking in the Nepali societies in last 14 years. You may argue those positive changes have been taking becasue of the change in the political system or just time has become itself to change with external environments. Some many Nepalis are in foreign countries to seek employment opportunities, educational opportunitie and so on. I think these activities have added to the some positiv changes in the last decade.
In terms of economy freedom, Nepal has been taken pro- market strategy to improve our economy. Many people have better access to the banking system than used to be. More colleges and universities are establishe with the help of Private sectors. These are good things. I would never say that nothing progress has been ,in last 14 years, in Nepal. Definatly, there had been significan improvement in Media where people openly express their views.
My personally believe in free market economy, and freedom of press with the people should be able to choose their leaders to govern them.
Having said these, they were serious, miscalculations and strategical mistakes were made by the two parties, in addition to accumulating wealth in an unlawful way.
Can you believe that NC and UML support for free duty PAJERO for their MPS and higher government officials? Most of the MPs’ constituents even do not have access to motorable roads. Plus, how they could afford to buy a Japanese SUV?
Do not you think these parties are responsible for their actions, i.e. disoling the representative body, and not to go for elections?
They gave our freedom to the KG? Therefore , I raised the issues theleaders were the one whe killed the seed of the young democrasy in Nepal. It is easy to blame the KG, but we need to learn to realize the mistakes too. It is a Nepali culuture to blame others if things go other ways.
I can see, the KG was hungry for the Power too, but the leaders miscalculated him. I just want to see prosper and free Nepalis.
Comment by pashupati — 5/9/2005 @ 1:34 pm
Pashupati:
“Can you believe that NC and UML support for free duty PAJERO for their MPS and higher government officials? Most of the MPs’ constituents even do not have access to motorable roads. Plus, how they could afford to buy a Japanese SUV?”
*******You are absolutley right; and they were duly criticized, weren’t they? At some points, Pajero used to be synonimous with our sansads.
“Do not you think these parties are responsible for their actions, i.e. disoling the representative body, and not to go for elections?
They gave our freedom to the KG? Therefore , I raised the issues theleaders were the one whe killed the seed of the young democrasy in Nepal. It is easy to blame the KG, but we need to learn to realize the mistakes too. It is a Nepali culuture to blame others if things go other ways.”
*******Yes, I think so. Without their facilitation, KG could not have succeeded grabbing power. That’s why I think that a public apology from the parties could be a good beggining. I am surprised they have not accepted any mistake officially so far. I also think that without any such statement and a clear and CONCRETE “roadmap” (yet another abused term in contemproray Nepal), people are unlikely to support them.
I do believe that the people ultimately support the parties. In the long run, I guess that the monarchy will be the ultimate looser (irrespective of the outcomes of KG’s war) as it will alinate a sizable portion of the populace for ever. Second, the urban people never have been his friends however much wrath they are expressing right now. Third, even if KG wins, he will have to face a highly radicalized rural masses (thanks to the Maoists); parties alone can fill this void. Either way, humulating parties is detrimental to the health of the country in the long run.
Comment by Save Nepal (savenepal@gmail.com) — 5/10/2005 @ 3:41 am
Pashupatiji,
Will you email (savenepal@gmail.com) me your research on Nepal’s poverty? Thanks.
Comment by Save Nepal (savenepal@gmail.com) — 5/10/2005 @ 8:54 pm
United We Blog 