Civil society consists of all institutions that are inherently non-governmental in nature. It includes NGOs, media, trade associations, sports clubs, advocacy groups, and special interests.
While there is debate on a precise definition of Civil Society – most would agree that it is an essential component of well-functioning governments – democratic or otherwise. Modern democracies cannot function without a vibrant Civil Society.
Undemocratic governments are afraid of Civil Society – particularly political, religious, and social ones as they are abrasive to the well-being of undemocratic activities (try to imagine political NGOs in North Korea).
Civil society acts as a buffer between the people and the government. Despite our romanticism with the notion of “the people”, it is almost impossible at the individual level to further legislation, protect individual liberties, and engage in the very demanding task of placing checks on governmental power. Thus, hunters with an interest in protecting habitat (interestingly to ultimately kill game in that habitat), are best served by belonging to an association that promotes and protects their interest.
Nepal’s Civil Society consists of business, sports, social, political, health and religious interests and Nepalis (in Nepal or abroad) participate in a wide variety of clubs and associations.
The most visible and most vocal of the lot from Nepali Civil Society, of course, are the media and the Human Rights NGOs – the political component Civil Society. Notable (and extremely vocal yet boring) Civil Society members in Nepal are Devendra Raj Pandey, Kanak Mani Dixit, Sushil Pyakhurel, Dinesh Prasai, Krishna Pahadi, and Narayan Wagle.
They run a virtual monopoly on ideas.
They weigh in for us all on matters of critical importance ranging from recent incidents like Kapilvastu, the peace process, the elections, Maoists integration into government, the role of diplomats in Nepal’s political affairs, the Iraq war and any topic that has political, social, and at times, even artistic relevance.
That they prolifically comment on all issues makes them also incredibly boring but unfortunately, they also influence policy.
And that underscores the problem – or rather four problems.
First, the entire lot has a heavy leftist ideological bent – they all think like their masters in Human Rights Groups, left-wing professors, the United Nations, and some radically left EU countries.
Their collective thinking is characterized by a venal disdain or hatred of Western values (with special emphasis on the United States); a romantic notion of “peace” that humanity’s long history and basic principles of State governance (even democratic governance) does not validate; a willingness to appease anyone to ensure their analysis is “correct” – even if it results in great suffering to the very people they claim to protect; and a moral sanctimony that masks their character.
Second, they are cowards. During the demonstrations against the Royal regime, they were willing to protest on the streets, even getting arrested episodically and willing to travel to the EU, the United States, to spread the word about one of the world’s brutal regimes.
No superlative was out of bounds “crimes against humanity”, “genocide”, “Abu Ghraib”, “dirty war” were used with no regard to context. Never mind there was a real insurgency going on with individuals whose aim was and continues to be a totalitarian State.
A monarchy, after all, is bound by history and tradition and in our semi-cosmopolitan society, many people know each other and it is difficult to “eliminate” enemies of the State. History shows that an overwhelming amount of human tragedy occurred in secular, republican governments (Germany, Russia, China, Cambodia, North Korea). Thus, the real threat under the monarchy was limited.
But the Maoists are not bound by any historical or social restraints – and our political Civil Society knows this. Devendra Raj Pandey or Kanak Mani Dixit might have patted themselves in the back for their activism then because they knew they faced relatively benign threats under the royal regime.
So jail time during Jana-andolan became a revolving door to wear as a badge of honor to brag at an Embassy function with the good ‘ol boys from DFID but the game is turning deadly - as Kantipur publications and other media houses are learning.
While a Nepal Army Major that came into monitor the editors following Gyanendra’s takeover was characterized as an oaf to be laughed at, the all-knowing editors of Kantipur, Kathmandu Post, Nepali Times, and other publications are only painfully realizing that the Maoists mean deadly business.
The ridiculous yellow outfit that the “look-at-me” Krishna Pahadi wears is painfully apropos for Nepali Political Civil Society.
Third, they have political ambitions. Civil society’s role ends where government begins. While it would be naïve to believe that the boundary separating Civil Society and government is clean even in stable democracies, it is no secret that many of the political Civil Society members desperately crave positions in government.
They are known to pursue roles in parliament, for ambassadorships, and for other inherently government functions. This compromises their integrity and exposes them to the same forces that corrupt government officials.
Fourth, these individuals crave money and status the same way any other Nepali (or human being) does. Also their Masters in various international organizations have a vested interest to perpetuate their own salaries and missions – and duty in Nepal (or conflict-ridden country) is lucrative if you’re earning foreign currency.
Independent thinking is therefore severely corroded in this environment.
They parrot what their Masters believe and have never come across as principled fighters for stable government – for stable government requires force that causes pain on a certain segment of the population. Democratic societies have always been tested in maintaining order while also having to follow the rule of law.
But members of Civil Society never advocate this position – because of their uber-paranoia that bringing order might somehow benefit the King or the Nepali Army – and invalidate their utopian views of “peace.”
The psychologically-scarred Kanak Mani Dixit (did he get daily wedgies by in kindergarden by an Army brat?), who never ceases to amaze with his hand-wringing and fact-less rhetoric in the Nepali Times even as it become devastatingly clear what is happening in Nepal:
“By resigning from an unstable interim government, Pushpa Kamal Dahal has actually emboldened the king. The Nepal Army, unreformed for having carried on a dirty war on behalf of Gyanendra, is eagerly waiting for another opportunity to ‘serve’. We can thank Mr Dahal for this renewed ambition.”
If the Nepali Army, in what appears to be the last remaining functioning institution in Nepal, has to come in to prevent massive loss of life or even to keep the media functioning (with force, of course) – then would they have come in “to serve” the King?
And if they did, could not Kanak Dixit, who hasn’t managed to keep the press safe, let alone the country, once again get on his high-horse and claim the self-fulfilling analysis that Nepal Army actually came into “save” the King.
It’s a lose-lose situation for the State and it is this kind of loose thinking that is getting us to the brink of complete chaos.
But there is little counterweight or voice against members of existing Nepali Political Civil Society. Attempts at proposing alternative views are waved off as “royalist resurgence” as Kanak Dixit does above.
The day when individuals like Kanak Dixit, Devendra Raj Panday, Sushil Pyakhurel, Dinesh Prasai, and a cast of dozens and dozens from Nepali Civil Society can have principled individuals opposing them is when we will take another important step in establishing stable democracy in Nepal – if there remains a Nepal at that time.
Related Posts:
No Impunity for Civil Society Leaders: Nepalis are watching.... http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/09/no-impunity-for-civil-society-leaders.html
The Nepali Times Gets it Wrong - Lazy Thinking and Unworthy Patronage of Maoists http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/09/nepali-times-gets-it-wrong-lazy.html
Revisiting Recent Nepali History - A brief Collection of "Inconvenient Truths" http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/07/revisiting-recent-nepali-history-brief.html
Life is Good When You Are a Nepali Intellectual Elite http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/06/life-is-good-when-you-are-nepali.html
Bahunists and Bahunism - No Room for feudal elements in the "new Nepal"
http://nepaliperspectives.blogspot.com/2007/08/bahunists-and-bahunism-no-room-for.html
5 comments:
Bravo! Ripley has hit the nail on the head. A supremely biased, cowardly, ethically bankrupt, and Bahunistically fork-tongued, slippery, and romantic (read asinine) "Civil Society" has been the bane of Nepal for the last few years...and of course how can one forget their dull followers and interlocutors in the "international community"? If these campers-and-mountainers-turned-diplomats-and-development-workers have managed to get over their "trekking-holiday-appointment in Nepal" mentality, perhaps smth about the workings of Bahunists and Bahunism in Nepal has begun to dawn on their hilbilly-camper/mountaineer-turned-DDW heads(diplomat, development-worker)! Duh!
Until these people (and their asinine international-followers) are swept away there can never be a just peace in our country. Congratulations to Ripley and all others who are beginning to take a stand against these intellectual monopolists of Nepal! Our HCM-turned-DDW internationals should stick this writing to their walls if they're serious about "helping" Nepal!!
Dear Mr. Ripley, I salute you for your well written and a very real account of people whom I have no regard for. Nation is beyond repair for their silly vengence and malicious intent which always bordered not beyond their self-serving ends.
I despise people so much for they are the ones to bring this nation to state of dissary where now even though of nation's death is an open topic. If I had my way- they are qualified to be hung, dried and quatered.
All these jokers talk a big game but when it comes down to it, they're a bunch of nit-witted, lilly livered cowards.
The next time Prachanda and Baburam are invited to dinner at Kanak Mani Dixit's house, we'll be there to take pictures.
When the YCL is done with those implicated in the Rayamajhi report and they go after these fools (starting with Kanak Dixit's school - Rato Bangala), it won't be so funny any more.
But it will happen. So let these fools keep quiet while they have their mental revenge on the royalists. We can all laugh together when Himial media comes under attack next along with all these other jokers.
It will happen. Just wait and see.
Well and timely written. These hyenas are to be blamed for destroying our nation.
-Greedy
-Bias
-Coward
-against the people
They should pay the price for all these mess.
Post a Comment