Political Development & Governance in Nepal | Nepalse History & Politics | Important Questions Solution

Brief Answer Questions

1. Define constitution along with its any two features.

A constitution is the supreme law of a country that establishes the framework for governance, defines the rights and duties of citizens, and outlines the structure of government. Two features are:
- It provides the legal foundation for the state’s institutions and their powers.
- It safeguards fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens.

2. Define federalism.

Federalism is a system of government where power is constitutionally divided between a central authority and regional units, such as states or provinces.

3. What is an election?

An election is a formal process through which citizens vote to choose representatives for public office or decide on specific issues, ensuring democratic governance.

4. What is meant by bicameral parliament? Why is it necessary?

A bicameral parliament is a legislature with two separate chambers or houses, typically a lower and an upper house. It is necessary to ensure checks and balances, promote diverse representation, and allow thorough legislative review.

5. What is a constituent assembly?

A constituent assembly is a body of representatives elected or appointed to draft, amend, or adopt a new constitution for a country.

Short Answer Questions

1. Define Political Party and their roles after 1990.

A political party is an organized group of individuals with shared political beliefs and goals, seeking to gain power through elections. After 1990 in Nepal, political parties played transformative roles:

• Ending absolute monarchy: Parties led the 1990 People’s Movement, pressuring King Birendra to end autocratic rule and adopt a constitutional monarchy with multi-party democracy.
• Shaping democratic governance: They participated in elections, formed governments, and introduced policies to strengthen democratic institutions post-1990.
• Advocating for human rights: Parties pushed for civil liberties, equality, and social justice, addressing issues like discrimination and poverty neglected under prior regimes.
• Facilitating peace after conflict: Post-2006, parties negotiated the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), integrating Maoist rebels into mainstream politics and ending the civil war.
• Driving constitutional reform: They established the Constituent Assembly, which drafted the 2015 Constitution, marking Nepal’s shift to a federal republic.
• Promoting economic development: Parties initiated programs to boost infrastructure, education, and healthcare, aiming to uplift living standards in a democratizing Nepal.

2. What is CPA? Mention its key provisions.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in 2006 between the Government of Nepal and the Maoists, ended a decade-long civil war. Its key provisions include:

• Ceasefire and disarmament: Both sides halted hostilities, with Maoist combatants confined to cantonments and their arms monitored by the UN.
• Integration of combatants: Verified Maoist fighters were to be integrated into the Nepal Army, ensuring their transition from rebels to citizens.
• Constitutional overhaul: A Constituent Assembly was mandated to draft a new constitution, reflecting Nepal’s diverse population and democratic aspirations.
• Human rights accountability: The CPA promised a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate war-time abuses and promote healing.
• Democratic commitment: Both parties agreed to uphold multi-party democracy, human rights, and the rule of law as foundational principles.
• Monarchy’s abolition: It laid the groundwork for declaring Nepal a republic, ending centuries of royal rule in 2008.

3. Differentiate between direct election (FPTP) and proportionate election.

Aspect	Direct Election (First-Past-The-Post - FPTP)	Proportionate Election
Definition	Voters elect a candidate with the most votes in a constituency.	Seats are distributed based on a party’s national vote share.
Representation	Winner-takes-all; often benefits larger parties.	Reflects voter diversity, including smaller parties.
Voter Choice	Voters select individual candidates directly.	Voters choose parties; parties appoint representatives.
Outcome	May produce a strong majority but can distort overall vote share.	Aligns seats with total votes, ensuring broader inclusion.
Complexity	Simple to understand and implement locally.	More complex, requiring vote calculations nationwide.
Use in Nepal	Applied to 165 seats in the House of Representatives.	Applied to 110 seats in the House of Representatives.
Advantage	Provides clear constituency representation.	Promotes fairness and inclusivity in representation.
Disadvantage	May exclude minority voices in constituencies.	Can weaken direct voter-candidate connection.

4. Differentiate between unitary system and federalism.

Aspect	Unitary System	Federalism
Power Distribution	Centralized in the national government.	Divided between central and regional governments.
Authority Source	Regions derive power from the central authority.	Regions have powers guaranteed by the constitution.
Governance Structure	Single-tier system with uniform laws nationwide.	Multi-tier system with federal, provincial, and local levels.
Policy Flexibility	Central government can change regional boundaries or roles.	Regional autonomy requires constitutional amendments.
Decision-Making	Top-down approach; swift national policy implementation.	Collaborative; regions tailor policies to local needs.
Examples	Nepal under Panchayat (1962-1990).	Nepal since 2015 with seven provinces.
Strengths	Efficient, cohesive national policies.	Empowers regions, reflects diversity.
Weaknesses	May ignore regional diversity and needs.	Risks conflicts over jurisdiction and resource allocation.

Long Answer Questions

1. Give a historical development of Constitutions in Nepal? Also state the chief features of the constitution of Nepal - 2072 B.S.

Nepal’s constitutional journey mirrors its political evolution:

• Government of Nepal Act, 1948: Introduced during Rana rule as a limited reform to appease growing dissent; lacked real democratic impact due to the regime’s control.
• Interim Government of Nepal Act, 1951: Enacted post-1950 revolution; established a constitutional monarchy and promised elections, marking Nepal’s first democratic step.
• Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1959: Nepal’s first democratic constitution; introduced a parliamentary system but was dissolved by King Mahendra’s 1960 coup.
• Constitution of Nepal, 1962: Launched the Panchayat system; banned parties, centralized power under the king, and suppressed democratic aspirations for nearly three decades.
• Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990: Restored multi-party democracy after the People’s Movement; reduced the king to a figurehead and empowered elected representatives.
• Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007: Post-2006 CPA, it abolished the monarchy, declared Nepal a federal republic, and set up a Constituent Assembly for a permanent constitution.
• Constitution of Nepal - 2072 B.S. (2015 CE): Culminated years of struggle; established a federal, secular, democratic republic with a focus on inclusion and decentralization.

Chief features of the Constitution of Nepal - 2072 B.S.:

• Federal structure: Divides Nepal into seven provinces and 753 local units, each with defined legislative and executive powers.
• Bicameral parliament: Includes the House of Representatives (275 members) and National Assembly (59 members) for balanced law-making.
• Fundamental rights: Guarantees equality, freedom, and social justice, with provisions for marginalized groups’ upliftment.
• Independent judiciary: Ensures judicial review and separation of powers, safeguarding constitutional integrity.
• Secular state: Declares Nepal religiously neutral, promoting freedom of belief and cultural diversity.
• Inclusive representation: Mandates proportional inclusion of women, ethnic minorities, and regions in state bodies.
• Decentralized governance: Empowers provinces and local units to manage resources and development independently.

2. Is federalism suitable for Nepal? Write your views highlighting its advantages and disadvantages.

Federalism, adopted in 2015, suits Nepal’s diversity but poses challenges:

Advantages:

• Empowers diverse communities: Grants autonomy to regions with unique ethnic and linguistic identities, reducing historical marginalization.
• Localized governance: Provinces address specific needs like agriculture or tourism, enhancing responsiveness.
• Balanced development: Shifts resources from Kathmandu to underdeveloped areas, promoting equity.
• Strengthens democracy: Increases political participation at multiple levels, deepening democratic roots.
• Conflict resolution: Addresses grievances of ethnic groups, reducing tensions seen in the Maoist insurgency.

Disadvantages:

• Jurisdictional overlap: Ambiguities in power-sharing spark disputes between federal and provincial authorities.
• Resource scarcity: Funding multiple governments strains Nepal’s economy, delaying projects.
• Administrative inexperience: New provincial systems lack trained personnel and infrastructure for effective governance.
• Risk of fragmentation: Overemphasis on regional identities could weaken national unity if mismanaged.
• Implementation costs: High financial and logistical demands challenge a nation with limited capacity.

My view: Federalism is suitable for Nepal’s pluralistic society, fostering inclusion and local empowerment. However, its success hinges on capacity-building, clear legal frameworks, and cooperative federal-provincial relations.

3. Explain the administrative system of Nepal.

Nepal’s administrative system, per the 2015 Constitution, operates on three tiers:

Federal Government:

• Leadership: Headed by the President (ceremonial) and Prime Minister (executive).
• Legislature: Bicameral—House of Representatives (275 members) and National Assembly (59 members).
• Powers: Manages defense, foreign policy, currency, and national infrastructure.
• Role: Coordinates inter-provincial issues and sets national priorities.

Provincial Governments:

• Structure: Seven provinces, each with a Chief Minister and unicameral Provincial Assembly.
• Powers: Oversees provincial police, education, health, and agriculture.
• Autonomy: Drafts laws and budgets tailored to regional needs.
• Coordination: Links federal policies with local implementation.
• Challenges: Faces resource shortages and capacity gaps.

Local Governments:

• Units: 753 entities—6 metropolitan cities, 11 sub-metropolitan cities, 276 municipalities, and 460 rural municipalities.
• Leadership: Elected mayors or chairpersons with local councils.
• Responsibilities: Manages sanitation, roads, water supply, and primary education.
• Authority: Levies taxes and enacts local regulations.
• Goal: Enhances grassroots democracy and service delivery.

This decentralized system aims to bring governance closer to citizens, though it grapples with coordination issues and resource limitations requiring sustained reform.