Civic Disobedience and Social Forums

Editorial

Civic Disobedience And Social Forums [ 2006-11-17 ]
By C. D. BhattaCivil protests through social forums have become weapons of the weak in the world. In this piece, attempt will be made to describe how civil protests and social forums are usurping statecraft and political power from the traditional forces (political parties and central government) in recent years. I delineate examples from the April uprising of Nepal (civic disobedience) which is hailed by the world community for providing a new prescription for regime change in politically troubled countries. It has elevated the notion of people power in shaping formal politics as against informal politics. Moreover, at least the South Asian countries seem to be following up on the Nepali way of regime change. The Nepalis case is particularly important for two reasons: first, it has brought about unprecedented political unity among the traditional political forces of different ideologies for the cause of democracy, and second, it has brought together all societal forces onto a common platform for democratic change. The success it has achieved, indeed, sets a good precedent in this regard. Inspired by the Nepali experience, Nawaz Shariff and Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan have now come together and are sharing the same dais to oust military rule in Pakistan for democratic governance in the country. Similarly, opposition Myanmar leaders came to Nepal right after the successful completion of the movement to share the Nepali experience as if anything could be done of this scale in Myanmar to oust junta rule. One after another, many South Asian and other leaders from the politically troubled global South have taken the Nepali case as a recipe for regime change. Civil protests are waged frequently in the nation-states either to oust an undemocratic government or to put pressure on the democratic government to be more pro-public or to put pressure on market forces to protect consumer rights and others. The latest in line is the Bangladeshi civil protests that have brought its capital Dhaka to a standstill, following the unprecedented blockade by 14 political parties for reform in the electoral system and constitutional neutrality in the election that is scheduled for mid-January next year. Bangladesh is another troubled country in South Asia which has not been able to provide stable politics since its establishment. Infighting between the Awami League chief Sheik Hasina Waged and ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief Khaleda Zia has become the norm of the day. By and large, civic disobedience to oust undemocratic governments through public protests and lobby through social forums for just policies, that is, to fight against growing imperialist global policies of the WTO and other multinational companies, where one man, one country is being exploited by the other at the international level, has become the mantra in the 21st century. In fact, social forums have become very important to resuscitate national civil societies to become more proactive and vociferous in resisting anti-people policies both in the global south and north. Forums are used not only to oppose globalisation that plunders the wealth of Third world countries and exploits its natural resources but also against the growing nuclear farce, the unjustified war against terrorism, climate change, genetically modified foods, growing religious fundamentalism and much more. The history of organised meetings of the World Social Forum is relatively new. The concept kicked off solely from Latin American countries to oppose neo-imperialism. What is true though is that the forums are taking shape in the world political economy. Now the social forums are also being organised regionally (parallel summits) and even nationally to some extent in countries like Brazil and India. The recent India Social Forum is one in this regard where prominent civil society organisations and individuals like Medha Patkar, Vandana Shiva and others came together to resist government policies that were threatening the sovereign rights of the people to their lives and livelihoods by displacing small traders, hawkers, textile works, tribals and farmers. Similarly, suicides committed by thousands of farmers in India are another case in point as how the new economic agendas are putting undue pressure on citizens and taking their lives. The latest protest in New Delhi by the middle class businessmen against the 'ceiling policy' imposed by the government which threatens their livelihood is a case in point how industrialisation and the modernisation drive of the Indian government are throwing thousands of people out of the market. The organisation of social forums at the national level is particularly important as they help to shape pro-public national policies. The forums are necessary at a time when increased number of countries are pulling their hands out from social sector obligations and handing them over either to the private sector or to multinational companies under pressure from development banks such as the Asian, African, Latin American Development Bank and the World Bank that only understands the language of money and economics rather than providing social welfare to people at large. Perhaps, the Nepali civil society organisations should also think of organising a Nepal Social Forum like the Indian counterpart. Organising social forum meetings of civil society organisations is important for Nepal for three reasons: first to democratise and stabilise national politics, second to check and balance the market forces (consumer rights and others) and third to work out a nationalistic foreign policy. Foreign policyThe foreign policy issue is particularly important for small states like Nepal where political leaders and bureaucrats are duped by the 'big states'. The assistance of civil societies and social forums is particularly important while negotiating treaties, for the just distribution of natural resources and protecting and lobbying for the rights of the landlocked countries at international forums. Having said this, however, the foremost and immediate goal of the Nepali civil society organisations at this juncture must be to serve as a mediator to achieve sustainable national polity through the constituent assembly election.