The role of political parties in deepening democracy
in Nepal
The political parties in Nepal have demonstrated an
amazing feat for democracy restoration. But they have shown scant ability in
institutionalizing democracy. Their challenges lies in the fusion of shared
visions, moral leadership, and opening up for the Nepali citizens an
opportunity for a dignified life, liberty, and progress. Nepal's ethnic, caste,
language, and religious diversity makes the society highly resilient and
public-spirited prompting critical thinking and diverse solution, a
precondition to deepening democracy.
The stability of democracy rests on the honesty of
leadership to party statutes, predictable policies, a deliberative mechanism of
decision making, smooth transfer of authority to local leadership, and its
ability to build trust between the state, the civic institutions, and citizens.
Political authority derives from elections, the trust of people and law and,
therefore, its term is fixed. This means civic power of parties and
institutional power of security, rule of law, integrity, accountability,
justice and transparency require building a coherent vision, inter-generational
circulation of leadership in the bodypolitik, and creating policies to
mobilize the centripetal forces of society, erase the fault lines between the
numerous parties and unite the citizens for cooperative action.
Foreword by Dev Raj Dahal, Head, FES Nepal for the book,
'The role of political parties in deepening democracy in Nepal' edited by Anand
Aditya and Chandra D. Bhatta
