The movement in Nepal was to restore democracy while in Bolivia the struggle involved claims on the elected government. In Bolivia struggle was about one specific policy, while struggle in Nepal was about the foundations of the country’s politics.

Despite the differences, both the stories share some elements which are relevant to the study of the past and future of democracies.

(i) In both cases the political conflict that led to the popular struggles.

(ii) Both the cases involved mass mobilization.

(iii) Both instances involved critical role of political parties.

Nepal witnessed an extraordinary popular movement in April 2006. The movement was aimed at restoring democracy. This struggle for democracy became source of inspiration to all democrats all over the world.

 (i) Nepal won democracy in the year 1990 though the king remained the head of the State. The real power was exercised by popularly elected representatives. King Birendra accepted this transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy.

 (ii) King Birendra was killed in a mysterious massacre of the royal family in 2001. King Gyanendra, the new king of Nepal was not prepared to accept democratic rule. As a result, in February 2005, the king dismissed the then Prime Minister and dissolved the popularly elected Parliament.

 (iii) The movement of 2006 was aimed at regaining popular control over the government from the king. All the major political parties in Parliament (Seven Party Alliance of Nepal) called for a 4 day strike and this protest soon turned into indefinite strike in which many other organisations joined hands.

 (iv) People defied curfews and took to the streets. Even the security forces found themselves unable to take on more than 1 lakh people who gathered almost every day to demand the restoration of democracy. They stuck to their demands of restoring the parliament, power to an all–party government and a new constituent assembly.

(v) On the last day of this protest movement, the king was forced to meet all the demands of the people. As a result, SPA chose Girija Prasad Koirala as the Prime Minister and the restored parliament passed various laws taking away most of the powers from the king.

Democracy evolved through struggles and movements. It is possible that some significant decision may take place through consensus and may not involves any conflict at all. But that would be an exception. Defining moments of democracy usually involve conflicts between those groups who have exercised power and those who aspire for a share in power. The moment comes when the country is going through the transition to democracy, expansion to democracy or deepening of democracy.

The movement in Nepal was to establish democracy, while the struggle in Bolivia involved claims on an elected, democratic government. Both these are instances of political conflict that led to popular struggles. In both cases, the struggle involved mass mobilisation.

Nepal witnessed an extraordinary popular movement in April 2006. The movement was aimed at restoring democracy. This struggle for democracy became source of inspiration to all democrats all over the world.

(i) Nepal won democracy in the year 1990 though the king remained the head of the State. The real power was exercised by popularly elected representatives. King Birendra accepted this transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy.

(ii) King Birendra was killed in a mysterious massacre of the royal family in 2001. King Gyanendra, the new king of Nepal was not prepared to accept democratic rule. As a result, in February 2005, the king dismissed the then Prime Minister and dissolved the popularly elected Parliament.

(iii) The movement of 2006 was aimed at regaining popular control over the government from the king. All the major political parties in Parliament (Seven Party Alliance of Nepal) called for a 4 day strike and this protest soon turned into indefinite strike in which many other organisations joined hands.

(iv) People defied curfews and took to the streets. Even the security forces found themselves unable to take on more than 1 lakh people who gathered almost every day to demand the restoration of democracy. They stuck to their demands of restoring the parliament, power to an all–party government and a new constituent assembly.

(v) On the last day of this protest movement, the king was forced to meet all the demands of the people. As a result, SPA chose Girija Prasad Koirala as the Prime Minister and the restored parliament passed various laws taking away most of the powers from the king.

The reasons:

(i) Popular movements deepen democracy as they ensure greater participation of people through meetings and processions, making people more aware and vigilant.

(ii) They help in the due representation and accommodation of diverse interests.

(ii) They put pressure on the government, making it more accountable and responsive to the needs of the people.

(iv) They raise the democratic consciousness of the people to fight in the spirit of democracy.

For example, the movement in Nepal was to establish democracy, while the struggle in Bolivia involved claims on an elected, democratic goverment. Both these are instances of political conflict that led to popular struggles. In both cases the struggle involved mass mobilisation.