Title: Resolving the People's War in Nepal: A Discussion of Obstacles to Political Integration
Author: Pamela Elise Sciantarelli
Year: 2006
Keywords: N/A
Theme: Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies
Advisor(s): Giles Ungpakorn
The full thesis available here.
Abstract: etween February 2005 and September 2006, Nepal experienced a series of political events that were unprecedented in its history. King Gyanendra seized power, establishing an authoritarian regime, sparking mass movements involving millions, including the Communist Party of Nepal (CPNM), a party that had existed for decades. This research utilizes conventional Marxist theory to demonstrate the rationale and credibility of integrating Marxism with political work. From a system of government to the political unification of the CPNM, a process that had never been proven feasible, the success of this political unification was coincided with disarmament. The issue of disarmament in Nepal has been the subject of much debate, encompassing topics such as disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration—the scope of work abbreviated as DDR. The situation in Nepal culminated in the adoption of its first constitution in August 2006. Between February 2005 and September 2006, Nepal incurred the most eventful bout of political happenings in the country's recent history. The totalitarian takeover by King Gyanendra resulted in a mass people's movement numbering in the millions along with the emergence of the Communist Party Nepal-Maoists from a ten-year underground existence. This paper uses Classical Marxist Theory to show the plausibility of a Maoist-affiliated party participating in mainstream politics. On the brink of a new government system, political integration of the CPNM never seemed more possible. Successful political integration must be simultaneously accompanied by disarmament measures. The disarmament aspect of Nepal is discussed through the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) Framework. The situation in Nepal is assessed until the submission of the interim constitution's first draft in August 2006.