The question raised by Prof Bleie is extremely important for two reasons. First, at this juncture of our national life it provides us with an opportunity to rationally probe into the causes of divisions in our society, the foundation of our individual and collective identity, and most importantly, to reflect on how we can come to terms with the globalized world. Second, the question is a ´soul-searching´ opportunity for all international stakeholders who claim to be working for Nepal´s shared future.
The modern world is plagued by a variety of tragedies. And one of the worst is a domination of ´inept experts´ in social, economic and political realms. But rather than questioning the intention of ´politics of international development´ or ´politics of rising Asia´, this article will delve into three probable areas that are both hindrances as well as the common thread in shaping a common agenda for Nepal´s shared future.
First, we are a divided nation, divided along the lines of caste, ethnicity, region, language, sex, ideologies, commitments and ideas. These are natural divides without which the society would be paralyzed. Different societies have different practices or rather different ways of looking at life. However, there is always a common thread that binds them together. The fundamental question therefore is: Does Nepal have such binding threads, values, culture, philosophy or way of life?
What are our shared values? We cannot build shared values based on our historical weaknesses. Exclusionary politics, religion and the excessive importance accorded to ´power´, whether in the realm of politics, economy or social hierarchy are the weaknesses of our history and social structure. There is a need to look at how society has been constructed, whether it serves the interests and preserves the dignity of all its members.
Nevertheless, the process of approaching such a task should neither be emotional nor undemocratic. “Too much relying on the past and aggressive attempt to dismantle the entire past” are both fundamental obstructions to our shared future, Amartya Sen once said. "I cannot live without my past, but I may not necessarily be living within it."
The common agendas of Nepalis have been hijacked by a handful.It is important that the benefits of change trickle down and the country’s shared future be seen in a global context.
Though sweeping socio-political changes have taken place in Nepal in the last few years, a handful of power brokers have hijacked them to serve their own interests, thus preventing the change dividends from trickling down to the lower strata of the society. Therefore unless the benefits of the changes are distributed evenly among people of all class, ethnicity and regions, any attempt to shape a common platform will be a futile exercise.
The second issue is related to the foundation of our individual identity. What is that we want to be identified with? Should our identity be based upon a single variable or do shape our lives around multiple variables? What is our attitude towards law, justice and freedom? How is the ´rule of law´ defined for an individual and how is it practiced? Do natural rights compete with legal ones? Is there a space where natural and legal rights, laws and justice reconcile? Where is such a reconciliation point? These are important questions we should not hesitate to look into while defining our individual identity.
The final issue concerns how we come to terms with the globalized world. We do not live in isolation. Any society is a community with multifarious relationships among its members and with the members of other societies.
Nevertheless, our relationships within the society or with the outside world are based on certain laws and principles. Thus, without considering the global competing trends, practices, laws and principles and merely confining ourselves to ethnic, linguist, racial or national agenda, we will be contributing to the making of a rigid and narrow-minded society. In this day and age, shared future for the people of any one country is unthinkable unless it is linked to the interests of the broader world.
Nepal´s future is embedded on how national, regional and global politics and mind-sets reconcile. Operating on a diseased part of the body is a short-term fix. For an individual to live a healthy life, it is important that an agreement be reached between mind, body and soul. Are we willing to reach a genuine social, economic, political and cultural agreement both at the national and international levels? This fundamental question needs to be answered before we go about shaping the nation’s shared future.
The writer is the author of "Unfinished Journey: The Story of a Nation"
sharmasumit77@gmail.com
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