For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
Discourses of local governance in Nepal: an analysis of legislation, constitutional processes and civil society demands
The nature of Nepali society and its geographical characteristics render local governance and important agenda. The complexities inherent in the socio-cultural and physical landscape of the country indicate that the architecture of local governance may determine the ways how and to what extent the rights and participation of people in governance are ensured. The discourse of local governance in the new constitution crafting process is thus animportant issue for researchers and activists alike. But until quite recently the issue of local governance and its architecture has drawn little attention amongst knowledge networks, opinion makers and the political elite of the country. In this context, this paper deals with three pertinent questions related to the local governance: 1) Is local governance agenda getting attention that it deserves in the current political transition and why? 2) Does the discourse of local governance in Nepal acknowledge the community organizations and their initiatives for advancing local democracy? 3) What will be the way forward for crafting appropriate architecture of local governance contributing to the advancement of local democracy and of community rights in Nepal?…
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