Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Dr. Rabindra Khanal, Political Science Department, T.U, Nepal

Introduction

Institutionalization of democracy is a continuous and long-term process that requires honesty, hard work, and understanding from every member of the society. It cannot be achieved overnight, but it cannot be wished away either. Democracy is not only political freedom; it is a set of ideas and principles that seek to provide civil liberty, equality before the law, freedom of choice and a way of life to all. That is why democracy needs to be institutionalized, the process of which is known as democratization. Institutionalization of democracy and democratization are not two different concepts. Democratization endeavors to establish all aspects of democracy in a developed sense. But as it is a continuous process, no country of the world has achieved it fully. It is a dream yet to be fulfilled even for the most advanced countries of the world. However, it requires dynamic force to move ahead, and that force is found only in the youth population of the country who have mobility and intolerance toward injustices. They have critical mind and they have no attachment to the traditional forces that obstruct the development of democracy. Although the bulk of literature praises the political change that took place in 1990 toward democracy and analyzes the internal and external factors of this change, very little attention has been given to the effect of this change on the youth population of the country. The objective of this paper is not to analyze democracy as such, but to focus on democratization and the role of youth in it. Broadly, the objectives are:

to analyze the concept of democratization as a means of achieving democracy ;
to analyze the role played by youths toward democratization; and
to highlight the challenges and prospects of youths in the process of democratization.

The concept of democratization

Political scientists as well as laymen while discussing democracy use the term democratization frequently. As there is no universally accepted definition of democracy, the concept of democratization also varies. The term, however, is generally defined as a long-term process of moving toward democracy from an authoritarian political system. 1 It is a transitional stage. Democratization is the final end product of this transition. In Mozaffar's language, "Democratization produces democracy'. 2

Rustow, an authority on the transitions approach believes that democratization involves three different phases of preparation, decision and habituation and all these are equally important for democratic transformation. 3 He also believes that national unity is the major condition for the success of these phases. According to him, the preparatory phase involves a long and inclusive political struggle against the non-democratic regime. The second phase involves an adoption of democratic rules and procedures. And the third is the final stage of democratization in which both politicians and electorate must be habituated to democratic rules and procedures. 4 He cautions that the transition to democracy takes at least a whole generation to complete and where there are no earlier models of functioning democracy, it is likely to take even longer time. 5

Nepal began its second attempt of transition toward democracy 6 in the beginning of 1990 by adopting a new constitution with constitutional monarchy, multiparty system of polity and recognition of people as the source of power. Struggling to achieve democracy for the past fifteen years, it is still in the preparatory phase. It has not been able to take off from the previous political culture that was favorable to the authoritarian regime. It also has not been able to develop necessary mechanisms to face new challenges and strategies for survival. Although the country has adopted democratic rules and procedures and has conducted several general elections, the rules and norms have not been rooted in the political culture and they are not in 'natural order of things' as Sorensen says. 7 The adopted rules and norms are being challenged in many ways by the traditional and non-democratic political forces.

As democratization is not always a linear process, there is a possibility for it to move in reverse direction. 8 Sanjeev Khagram, analyzing the African situation, presents his arguments that the process of democratization is very vulnerable and can break down at any time 9 if a reliable resistance is not developed within the newly emerged system. In fact, the process of democratization has already reversed in Nepal after the royal declaration of February 1, 2005 on the pretext of fighting against terrorism. Democratization faces more serious threat from the traditional authoritarianism than any revolutionary movement, because as Rousseau says, people have every right to revolt against an existing state system when their grievances are totally ignored. In this context, the process of democratization in Nepal faces tremendous amount of social, economic and political challenges. These challenges can be resisted, faced, and responded only by a critical, committed, and energetic mass of youth population.

Youth's role in Democratization

Youths have always been the source of democratic movements everywhere in the world. It is instinctive for them to think and act against authoritarianism. It does not matter who holds the authority, the youths quickly react and if necessary revolt whenever they encounter injustice. This is the universal nature of the youths all over. The strength of society also depends on it because if young and energetic people remain idle and tolerate injustices, the society cannot make progress as desired. At the same time, the youths also have to be careful and cautious when they act. Their lack of experience may sometimes be harmful and prove a hindrance in achieving their goal. The youths of Nepal are no exception. However, their roles have invariably been positive in the democratization process even though they had to suffer failures many times.

Democratization involves various political events, civic education campaigns, political participations by the elected representatives, and so on. however, a small step toward seeking social, economic and political equality or for that matter, a large movement for such purpose may also be regarded within the process of democratization. The first recorded reaction of the youths against the regime in the modern history of Nepal is the movement started by the legendary Lakhan Thapa in April 1876, 9 who was put to death by hanging the same year. It was a very small movement initiated by an unknown person from the western hills of Gorkha but it was very significant because it spread the message that even an ordinary person can rise against tyranny, if dissatisfied. Thereafter, a number of movements took place that may be considered as landmarks which initiated and strengthened democratic thinking, viz. the Arya samaj movement initiated by Madhav Raj Joshi in 1893, Nepal Praja Parishad founded by Tanka Prasad Acharya, Ram Hari Sharma, and Dasharath Chand in 1935 and Nepali Nagarik Adhikar Samati organized by Sukraraj Shastri, Gangalal and Kedar Man in 1937. Similarly, the Nepali Congress movement initiated from the Indian soil and various other activities conducted inside Nepal ultimately pushed the then rulers out of power. In all these movements, the youths, especially students, were the deciding factor and their dedication and sacrifice ultimately introduced the process of democratization in Nepal in February 1950

After 1950, the youth leaders who had sacrificed so much for the cause of democracy gave up their revolutionary zeal and started looking for their share in the government. They could not keep up with their spirit for the cause they had put forward for more than half a century. As a result, the governments were made and unmade one after another as and when the king so desired. In December 1960, the king dismissed the duly elected Nepali Congress government barely 18 months in power, and ruled for two years with the emergency powers. In 1962, a new 'partyless panchayat' system was introduced. Under this system the political parties were banned and the popular representation in true spirit was denied. All this happened due to the struggle for power among the political parties at the center without preparing their political base at the local level. Political parties of the time were more responsible for the reversal of democratization than anybody else because they did not have the vision and capability to mobilize youths in preparing and developing the democratic political culture in the country. The blame should go to the democratic forces for causing the reversal of the process of democratization and helping authoritarianism to reemerge.

The partyless authoritarian panchayat regime remained intact for 30 years. It certainly halted the process of democratization. But as it is mentioned earlier, democracy is the ultimate goal of every individual. It is human instinct that does not let anyone accept slavery easily. That is why, as the transition process is reversible, restoration of democratization process is also possible. People's movement against the panchayat system in 1980 and 1990 restored the process of democratization once again and in both of these incidents the major role was played by the youths. They have always acted as catalysts of political change in Nepal. 10 Even the present political turmoil may be expected to be solved by involving more and more youths rather than the old who should have retired long ago.  

Challenges and Prospects of Youths in Democratization

Youths are the pillars of nation. No nation can prosper or even survive without youth participation. They are the agents of social change as well as upholders of democracy. Their skill development and general welfare should be the prime concerns of national planning and ideals. The state should give top priority to the development of skills and knowledge of the youth population so that they can play a creative role in the process of democratization. This particular human resource, if used properly, is a great asset for the nation. The youths should be trained in every possible way to participate effectively in various political activities, development programs and nation-building process. However, in Nepal, they cannot be expected to participate effectively in the democratization process because of the following challenges they face in various fields.

Education: In terms of education the Nepali youths can be divided into four categories.

- youths educated abroad;
- youths educated in private institutions;
- youths educated in the public institutions in urban setting; and the
- youths educated in the public institutions in rural setting.

All these students have different orientation regarding their own life, society, political institutions and the role they are supposed to play in nation building and democratization process. Youths educated abroad constitute the most privileged lot because they mostly belong to the affluent class of society and are likely to hold better positions when they come back in real life. Youths educated in private institutions also feel themselves privileged and do not find it very difficult to acquire higher position in the job market. Youths educated in the urban public institutions also somehow manage to adjust themselves in society and can earn their living without much difficulty. But the rural youths can hardly manage to complete their education and even if they do they have to compete with more privileged students. This kind of disparity in education has created more gaps among the youths and has led the less privileged ones into desperation and frustration and ultimately to join the club of more frustrated people, notwithstanding the concepts of right or wrong. The school level education system and the SLC phobia have forced many young people to join insurgency in the recent years.

Social stratification: Social stratification is another challenge for youths in the process of democratization. As Rustow says, a precondition for democratization is national unity, but Nepal lacks it due to social stratification. Although law does not allow the stratification on the basis of caste, the practice is still there and the people of different castes are not able to live and work together. The Nepalese political system has not yet been able to bring Janajatis, Dalits, Adibasies, and other minorities in the main stream of politics and has thus failed to get their active support in the process of democratization. Social stratification is one of the major causes of dissatisfaction among the youths. They are often attracted to something new like Christianity or Maoist insurgency where they find regard and satisfaction. This encourages the politics of alienation among youths and debars them in involving themselves in the process of democratization.

Economic disparity: The present estimate of absolute poor in Nepal ranges between 50 to 60 percent of the total population or between 10 to 12 million people. 11 The ongoing Maoist insurgency has forced many industries to be closed. Farmers are not producing enough. The youths are either joining the Maoist movement or running away from the villages. They go to the urban centers of the country in search of work and those who can afford go abroad. They do not come back to their village. This has created more social and economic disparity and is likely to result in massive socio-economic and political transformation. The importance of the youths is now going to be felt more acutely than ever before.

Over-politicization of youth organizations: The youths have played very important role in every democratic movement in Nepal. They have been the major change agents in Nepalese politics but it seems that they have always been exploited. The political parties and their leaders use the youths for the immediate pressing needs and undermine them in the tasks of framing policies and nation-building. Youths have been used less for political socialization and political acculturation than in street demonstrations. In the long run, it has not helped the democratization process. The youths should be encouraged to pursue their vocations up to an extent. It is quite understandable, and perhaps desirable to in our situation, that the youths must be involved in politics, but they should not let themselves be exploited by anyone.

Effect of consumerism on youths: The growing consumerism in the country has attracts youths and allures them more and more toward a luxurious life. This perverts the young minds. Consumerism adversely affects the educational zeal of the young people. Social, political, moral, and ethical values get sidelined by the temptation toward the consumer goods. This phenomenon which has appeared in the past few years is having negative influence in the process of democratization. This has given the authoritarian rulers and leaders more chances to allure the youths, divide them and exploit them as they wish.

Lack of proper guidance for the youths: Despite having many short comings in the mobilization of youth force, they are still the most effective change agents and the most engaged generation ever. 12 They are volunteering at higher numbers today than in previous generations. College students are protesting more than their parents against the social and political evils and yet their movements have not been able to produce anything concrete. The movements are wasted because they are unorganized and based on hooliganism. If the youth movements are to help the process of democratization, they need to be properly guided by more mature politicians and their ideals.

Effect of Maoist insurgency for the youths: Maoist insurgency has affected all aspects of the Nepali society. It has deprived the youths from enjoying the constitutional rights regarding freedom of movement, freedom of choice in relation to their vocation, expression, belief and so on. The rural youths are displaced from their villages where as the urban youths go abroad not seeing any future prospects in this country. The conflict has also encouraged more politicization of youth activities as a result no one is willing to do any constructive work for the social, political and economic development. In this situation, the process of democratization cannot go any further until the situation is corrected and the youths are motivated to work for peace.

There are a number of other challenges that the youths today are facing in the process of democratization but if peace is restored most of these challenges will turn into opportunities. Youths who have been abroad would find enough prospects to come back and utilize the skill and knowledge they have acquired. Youths engaged in insurgency can be made accountable in the national reconstruction. Once the political conflict is settled and the nation takes a definite course of action, a lot of burden that the youths are taking would be eased. They will only have to be alert that the nation will not return to this unwanted political turmoil again and democracy would be achieved ultimately.

Conclusion

Democratization is a process to achieve democracy in the long run. It may face a lot of challenges and ups and downs before it reaches to the destiny and yet it is incomplete because it is also a continuous process. Democratization cannot go further without the full participation of the young people because they are the most effective forces of the society in bringing about change and prosperity. But the youths of present Nepal face tremendous amount of challenges. If these challenges are not met with proper planning and strategies in time, the youths will deviate themselves from the hard task of nation building and create more and more social, political and economic turmoil and ultimately lead this country to such a state from where anyone can rarely come up. Democracy then, will only be a slogan in everyone's sub-conscious mind rather than the reality.