Nepal’s democratic experience is often evaluated through institutions such as elections and political parties, but Dr. Bhaskar Gautam argues that democracy is fundamentally about the freedom to imagine collective futures. He emphasizes that democracy rests on three pillars—individual agency, rational or scientific inquiry, and associational life—which together shape how citizens participate in defining social and political possibilities. In the Nepali context, however, this imagination has been largely concentrated within political parties, limiting broader public engagement.
He further reflects on how Nepal’s democratic practice is shaped by historical hierarchies, social structures, and the logic of markets, which continue to influence access to power and opportunity. According to him, the weakening of diverse associational life and over-reliance on party structures have constrained democratic imagination, making it difficult to develop more inclusive and participatory forms of governance beyond electoral politics.
The text is an abridged and translated version of the August, 2024 edition of Sambaad @ Samriddhi. Sambaad @ Samriddhi is a monthly discussion on contemporary issues held on the last friday of each month. In this edition Dr Bhaskar Gautam shares his reflection on Nepali democracy. The discussion was moderated by Deependra Chaulagain.
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