Social exclusion, democratic inclusion and the insurgency in Nepal

This research program is conducted by CMI in collaboration with a research group from Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal. It is divided into 8 separate but thematically related projects. The research program aims to explore the structures and processes as well as interstices of exclusion, democracy and insurgency. In addition, it also aims to identify potentially fruitful platforms for the resolution of the insurgency and for the promotion of an inclusive democracy. The research is designed to enhance our knowledge about the origins and consequences of the political and military conflict in Nepal, and to contribute to a more well-informed dialogue on the nature of the conflict and ways out of it. The research makes use of quantitative as well as qualitative methodologies in ways that use the insights of each to inform the other. The deliberate interaction of such distinct methodologies, and the multidisciplinary nature of the team - which represents sociology, economics, political science and demography - mean that the program can draw on a wide range of expertise. The research-program investigates whether the 1990 democratic revolution in Nepal led to a more inclusive democratic system, and whether social exclusion has contributed to the Maoist insurgency that started in 1996 and escalated in 2001. In seeking explanations for why the insurgents controlled many districts of Nepal, we consider a set of factors, including social exclusion, poverty, inequality, political history and geography. The program also examines consequences of the insurgency, that is, whether the conflict has contributed to agrarian change. Furthermore we describe social exclusion in Nepal by way of decomposing a set of social and economic indicators according to castes and ethnic groups and we investigate whether social exclusion can explain the increase in labor migration from Nepal. We also study participation in the formal judicial system, as well as participation in village level community organizations. Finally, we investigate government policies towards social exclusion, and look for a middle ground among the political actors that may contribute to a resolution of the conflict.

Publications from the Tribhuvan University group:

Mishra, Chaitanya (2014).  The Maoist Crossroads in Nepal: 'Postponing' New Democracy or Sensing Limits of Agency? Mimeo. Tribhuvan University.

Mishra, Chaitanya (2007).  "Political Transition in Nepal: Toward an Analytical Framework" in Essays on the Sociology of Nepal. Essays by Chaitanya Mishra. Fineprint Books. Kathmandu. Previous version available as a seminar-paper

Mishra, Chaitanya (2007). Is there a middle ground? Political and economic platforms of political actors in Nepal. Mimeo. Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Tribhuvan University.

Rawal, Nabin (2008). "Social Inclusion and Exclusion: A Review". Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology. Vol. 2. p. 161-180. Kathmandu.

Dhakal, Suresh (2008). "Participation and Representation in Community Based Organizations of the Villages of Morang District of Eastern Nepal". To appear in the proceedings from the Silver Jubilee of Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Tribhuvan University. The paper is partly funded by the project.

Dhakal, Suresh (2010). Participation in Public Spaces in a Diverse Society. A Case Study of Community Organisation in a VDC from Eastern Tarai of Nepal. Mimeo. Department of Sociology and Anthropology, TU.

Gurung, Yogendra (2011). Migration from Rural Nepal. A Social Exclusion Framework. Himalaya, the Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies. Volume 31, Number 1 and 2, 2011. Previous version available for download.

Gurung, Yogendra (2008). "Human Development Approach to Migration: Analysis of District level Data in Nepal". in Proceedings of the International conference "Social Sciences in a Multicultural World", December 11-13, 2006. Kathmandu. pp 534-552. The paper is partly funded by the project.

Nepali-language newspaper-articles, with long summaries in English:

Mishra, Chaitanya (2008).  "The King cannot make a comeback". Himal Newsmagazine. 29 March - 12 April, 2008, p.28.

Mishra, Chaitanya (2008).  "Common ground: Social democracy". Himal Newsmagazine. 1-28 May, 2008, pp.14-16.

Mishra, Chaitanya (2008).  "New Nepal and new Nepalis". Gorakhapatra. Special Issue, May 6, 2008, p.1, 7.

Mishra, Chaitanya (2008).  "End of monarchy and loosening of traditional social bonds". Nepal. June 8, 2008, pp.34-6.

Mishra, Chaitanya (2008).  "Imagining economic federalism". Gorakhapatra. September 19, 2008, p.7.