Keeping the ballot from becoming a crown

Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has proposed significant electoral reforms, including a directly elected chief executive and a fully proportional representation system in Parliament. The party also advocates for reducing local government units and abolishing provincial legislatures. These proposals have raised concerns that they could lead to a centralization of power, potentially creating an 'elected monarchy' akin to the leadership styles of Donald Trump or Narendra Modi.

“

Taken together, the proposals appear to point towards the centralisation of power in an elected monarchy: A plebiscitary executive at the top, a Parliament more dependent upon party lists than on territorial accountability, local governments pushed further away from the people, and federating units emasculated by being deprived of legislative authority altogether.

The article draws a parallel between the RSP's proposals and the "monarchical aura" sometimes associated with presidencies, referencing a retired teacher's discussion on the U.S. Constitution's resilience. It critiques the RSP's direction, suggesting it moves away from constitutional order and republican principles. The piece also touches upon Prime Minister Balendra Shah's rise, likening his supporters to a political 'ChaCha' (ornament or toy) who may be easily manipulated, echoing criticisms of blind devotion to charismatic leaders.

“

In short, the temptation is to imagine Donald Trump and Narendra Modi not as warnings, but as models.

In contrast, the article highlights the enduring strength of the U.S. Constitution as a model for restraint against authoritarianism. Approaching its 250th anniversary, the U.S. system's resilience is attributed not to virtuous leaders, but to its architecture of safeguards. These include a written constitution, an independent judiciary, a vigilant legislature, a free press, and federalism, all designed to prevent the concentration of power and provide obstacles to potential autocrats.

“

Even though the ChaCha-sugar high has begun to wear off, Chitwan showed that they are still ready to be played upon by the former rapper who once crooned about the plight of the poor but has since shown his true colours: White sneakers, black-on-black attire, health food and fancy cars.

The piece argues that federalism, despite its complexities, plays a crucial role in preventing the central government from dominating. States retain the power to resist, litigate, administer, delay, and even defy central authority. This system's genius lies in its assumption of potential overreach by rulers and its implementation of structural impediments to curb such tendencies, thereby preserving the republic.

“

Comparable to the Trumpards of MAGA and the Modiots of MIGA, the ChaChas of Nepal fail to realise that the stronger their devotion to an iconic ruler, the weaker becomes the constitutional order and the republic.