Elizabeth Cotter, Northview Public Schools

Murari Suvedi, Michigan State University

Nepal’s Location

Nepal

Lesson OverviewI. Understanding of U.S. Constitutional History

– 1760-1791: End of French/Indian War through the Passage of Bill of Rights

II. Understand key issues to be decided in creating a new government and drafting a new constitution.

– Federalism– Representation– Slavery

III. Understanding of Nepal’s Constitutional History– Monarchy ► Parliamentary Democracy

IV. Understand key issues to be decided in creating a new government and drafting a new constitution.

– System of Government– Minority Rights– Federalism– Integration of Maoist Army

Understanding of U.S. Constitutional History1760 ► Monarchy

► King George III ascends to the throne of England.

1763 ►Treaty signed between England and France ending the French and Indian War.

1765 ► British Parliament passes the Stamp Act as a means to pay for British troops on the U.S. Frontier.

1766 ► March 18. Stamp Act repealed, but on the same day parliament passes the Declaratory Act asserting its right to make laws binding on the colonies.

1768 ► October. British troops arrive in Boston to enforce customs laws.

1770 ► March. Four workers shot by British troops stationed in Boston. Patriots label the killings "The Boston Massacre."

1773 ► December. Massachusetts patriots protest the British Tea Act by dumping crates of tea into Boston Harbor.

Understanding of U.S. Constitutional History1774 ► First Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia.

1775 ► April. Shots fired at Lexington and Concord. WAR!!!

May: Second Continental Congress

July: Thomas Jefferson's Declaration of Independence ratified

by the Congress.

1783 ► Peace Treaty signed between U.S. and Great Britain.

1786-87 ► Shay’s Rebellion

1787 ►In May, delegates from all 13 states arrive in Philadelphia to rewrite

the Articles of Confederation. In September, the Constitutional Convention

adjourns having passed a National Constitution that needs ratification from 3/4 of the states

1788 ► The crucial states of Virginia (June 25) and New York (July 26) become the 10th and 11th states to pass the Constitution.

1791 ► Bill of Rights passed by the 1st Congress of the United States.

Key issues for drafting a new constitution.

I. Federalism– Federalists v. Anti-Federalists– 10th Amendment (1791)

II. Representation– Virginia Plan– New Jersey Plan– Connecticut Compromise– 3/5 Compromise

III. Slavery– Article 1, Section 9

NEPAL

Understanding of Nepal’s Constitutional History600 B.C. ► Monarchy

► With the exception of a brief period of time between 1959-1960, Nepal has had some form of a monarchy with the King as head of state with sole authority over all governmental institutions

1960 ► King Mahendra proclaims "guided democracy“, and establishes partyless-panchayat system.

1972 ► King Birendra succeeded.

1980 ► National referendum--people vote for continuance of the Panchayat form of government and against the reintroduction of political parties.

1990 ► Demonstrations held for the restoration of democracy, Panchayat system of government dissolved; interim government formed; new constitution promulgated.

Understanding of Nepal’s Constitutional History

1991 ► Elections to Parliament held. King still had some power, but dramatically reduced.

1996 ► The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) started a bid to replace the parliamentary monarchy with a people's new democratic republic, through a Maoist revolutionary strategy known as the People’s War.

2001 ► King Birendra and his family killed in shooting rampage. Gyanendra crowned King.

2005 ► King Gyanendra sacks government, assumes absolute power. Declares himself the Chairman of the Council of Ministers. State of emergency announced.

Prime Minister

Parliament

                                           

   

   

        

    

        

                 

                                           

                                           

                                           

                                           

                                           

                                           

                                           

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**State of Emergency* New Government

# Election       

Nepal: Chronology of Important Events

Restoration of democracy andnew constitution

# # #

April 10, CA ElectionMay 28: Federal Democratic Republic of NepalJune 11: King Gyanendra leaves Royal PalaceJuly 21: First President of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran YadavAugust 15: First Priminister of the Republic of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda

Madhab K. Nepal coalition government

Royal Massacre

King Gyanendra sacks government, assumes absolute power

The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) : People’s War

To fight against terrorism

#

Understanding of Nepal’s Constitutional History

2006 ► People's movement for restoration of Democracy

► King is stripped of powers, removed from his position of Supreme Commander of the Army. ► Prime Minister assumes the position of the Head of State. ► Nepal is declared a secular nation. ► Maoists sign a Comprehensive Peace Accord with the government agreeing to put an end to their decade-long insurgency. They agree to confine their army to cantonments, under the supervision of the United Nations and proceed toward their reintegration.

2007 ► Interim Constitution of Nepal (2006). Maoists join the parliament. Constituent Assembly election with fully proportional representation announced.

601 Member Parliament:• 240 seats from direct election• 335 seats from proportional system

– 43% from untouchable caste and ethnic groups– 33% women– 20% Southern Terai region– 4% from remote regions

• 26 seats from government nomination

Function of Constituent Assembly:• Draft and approve the New Constitution• Run the government until the new constitution is enacted and elections are held

Understanding of Nepal’s Constitutional History

2008 (April) ► Constituent Assembly Election held.

The formation of Constituent Assembly:Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) 220 seatsNepali Congress 110 seatsCommunist Party of Nepal (U.M.L.) 103 seats Madhesi People's Rights Forum, Nepal 52 seatsTarai Madhes Loktantrik Party 20 seatsSadhvawana Party 9 seatsRastriya Prajatantra Party 8 seatsOther parties … 79 seats

Over 60% seats were taken by parties affiliated with some form of communist movement . . .

2008 (May) ► Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a Federal Democratic Republic, abolishing the 240 year old monarchy.

2008 (June) ► King Gyanendra Shah leaves the Royal Palace. Palace turned into a museum.

Understanding of Nepal’s Constitutional History

2008 (July) ► Constituent Assembly

Dr.Ram Baran Yadav as the first President of Nepal

Mr. Subash C. Nembang as Chairman of the CA

2008 (August) ► Pushpa K. Dahal (Maoist Leader) elected the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Nepal

2009 (May) ► Madhab K. Nepal forms a coalition government– major parties include: - Nepali Congress- Communist Party of Nepal (U.M.L.)- Madhesi People's Rights Forum - Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party

Two Major Tasks of the Government:- Governing the country- Drafting the Constitution

President

Prime Minister

Parliament

Key issues for drafting a new constitution.

I. System of Government

II. Minority Rights– Women– Poor

III. Federalism– Criteria for Formation– Power Sharing Structure

OPTIONS: 1) Territorial Division: Federal system with states divided on the

basis of territory.2) Cultural Division: Federal system with states divided on the

basis of culture (language, ethnicity)

ADDITIONAL CONCERNS: Integration of Maoist Army into Nepali society.

System of Government: In search of an Alternative Model …

• “The Republic of South Africa is a constitutional democracy with a three-tier system of government and an independent judiciary, operating in a nearly unique system that combines aspects of parliamentary and presidential systems. Legislative authority is held by the Parliament of South Africa. Executive authority is vested in the President of South Africa, who is head of state and head of government, and his or her Cabinet. The president is elected from the Parliament to serve a fixed term.” (wikipedia.org)

• “Politics of Switzerland takes place in the framework of a multi-party federal parliamentary democratic republic, whereby the Federal Council of Switzerland is the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government and the federal administration and is not concentrated in any one person. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.” (wikipedia.org)

System of Government: In search of an Alternative Model …

• “Politics of India take place in a framework of a federal parliamentary multi-party representative democratic republic modeled after the British Westminster System. The Prime Minister of India is the head of government, while the President of India is the formal head of state and holds substantial reserve powers, placing him or her in approximately the same position as the British monarch. Executive power is exercised by the government. Federal legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of the Parliament of India. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.” (wikipedia.org)

• “The United States is a presidential, federal republic, in which the President of the United States (the head of state and head of government), Congress, and judiciary share powers reserved to the national government, and the federal government shares sovereignty with the state governments. The executive branch is headed by President and is independent of the legislature. Legislative power is vested in the two chambers of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The judicial branch (or judiciary), composed of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, exercises judicial power (or judiciary).” (wikipedia.org)

Minority Rights

Federalism: Political Map of Nepal (1963-2010)

Federalism: Demographic (Ethnic Group) Map of Nepal

Federalism: Topographical Map of Nepal

Integration of Maoist Army

► During the near decade of conflict, the Maoist army rose to nearly 35,000 members. How should these rebel soldiers be integrated into Nepali society?

► Maoists are demanding that the entire army should be accepted into the Nepal Army.

► Other political parties feel that they should not be allowed to integrate into the Nepal Army, but based on individual qualificationsand training, they could be integrated into community police or similarsecurity forces.

Short Exercise: Group A (GREEN)

• You have 10 minutes to discuss whether the Maoist Army should be integrated into the Nepali Army. How should they be integrated into the Nepali society?

• Identify a lead person to share your recommendation.

• Present on the strengths and weaknesses of your recommendation.

Short Exercise: Group B (BLUE)

• You have 10 minutes to discuss the issue of Federalism and how to divide the regions of Nepal (territorial v. ethnic/cultural) – what are the advantages and disadvantages?

• Identify a lead person to share your recommendation.

• Present on the strengths and weaknesses of your recommendation.

Short Exercise: Group C (GOLD)

• You have 10 minutes to discuss the desired system of government for Nepal. Might it look like any of the governments found in South Africa, Switzerland, India, or the United States, or should it be its own unique blend?

• Identify a lead person to share your recommendation.

• Present on the strengths and weaknesses of your recommendation.

Wrap-Up

Reflect for a moment on today’s discussion, and answer the following question:

Do you think that the United States would be successful in drafting a new constitution by 2011? If it were in a position to do so, what would be the big challenges and key issues?

Questions

• Contact information:Liz Cotter: lcotter@nvps.net

Dr. Murari Suvedi: suvedi@anr.msu.edu

• Lessons/Resources:http://asianstudies.msu.edu/outreach/Nepalgpa/

NAMESTE!