Nepal Social Classes and Stratification

In terms of differences in wealth and access to political power, Nepalese society could be divided into a small ruling elite; a growing, intermediate-sized group of government officials, large landholders, and merchants; and the vast majority of the population, consisting of a peasant base. These divisions are descriptive, functional class categories rather than social class entities based on the Marxian concept of the social relations of production. In a way, all three classes were a long continuum in Nepal's social structure because most members of the ruling elite and government functionaries had their direct roots in the rural landed class, which was one stratum of the farming population
Even though the agricultural sector as a whole faced similar economic and technological circumstances, it was diverse and contained several strata in landholding, relative economic dependence, and independence. The numerically small intermediate stratum of the farmers was only slightly less diverse than the rest of the rural population in terms of members' ethnic and geographical backgrounds. The relative economic and educational advantages of this group and its occupational activities, however, made its members relatively homogeneous in terms of shared interest. They generally aspired to achieve a middle- or elite-class status
The smallest and least diverse of the three categories was the ruling elite, largely composed of high-caste, educated Paharis, namely different strata of Brahmans and Chhetris. At the zenith of this class was the monarch, whose authority was derived from the orthodox Hindu contention that the king was the reincarnation of Vishnu, whose assigned role in the Hindu trinity is protection. The monarch's authority was not based on electoral support
The continued expansion of the bureaucracy was a direct response to a consistent increase in the educated population. Because of the lack of development, a large number of educated people failed to find gainful employment upon graduation. Because they constituted the most potent revolutionary force, and happened to be geographically concentrated in urban centers, the ruling class was almost compelled to absorb them into an already bloated bureaucracy in order to neutralize any sociopolitical disturbance they might cause
In the 1980s, a significant number of college- and universityeducated people residing in Kathmandu Valley cities discovered a second employment outlet. Development consultant firms and associated services have emerged throughout Kathmandu. Because of the growing pressure on foreign donors to hire Nepalese consultants for development feasibility and evaluation projects, these firms were able to tap into the large pool of foreign aid money and have generated a significant number of jobs. This opportunity has allowed many of the more educated to attain middle class status

Nepal-SOCIAL SYSTEM AND VALUES, NEPAL

in the mid-twentieth century, Nepal remained gripped in a feudalistic socioeconomic structure despite the influence of Western popular culture, growing commercialization, and some penetration of capitalism. The first challenge to this feudalistic power structure came in 1950-51, when the Rana autocracy was overthrown by the popular democratic movement that restored the authority of the monarchy (see Rana Rule , ch. 1).
There was no popularly elected government until 1959. During his reign, King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev frequently changed the government, pitting one ruling clan against another in a manner clearly reminiscent of Shah politics prior to the rise of Rana rule (see The Democratic Experiment , ch. 1). He also reconstituted the system of palace patronage, replacing the system of Rana patronage. The Ranas, however, firmly controlled the armed forces (see Armed Forces and Society , ch. 5).
In December 1960, King Mahendra launched a palace coup against the popularly elected government of Prime Minister Bishweshwar Prasad (B.P.) Koirala and reestablished his absolute monarchical rule under the banner of the partyless panchayat (see Glossary) system (see Political Dynamics , ch. 4). Until early 1990, the panchayat system, strictly controlled by the palace, remained firmly in place. The transition to a new social order was stymied; society remained entrenched in a feudalistic structure.
There was, however, a tide of Western popular culture and commercialization sweeping over Nepal. In the 1960s and 1970s, many Westerners, so-called hippies, were attracted to Nepal, looking for inexpensive marijuana and hashish. Nepal suddenly emerged as a "hippie Shangri-la." There were no laws or legal restrictions on the sale and purchase of such drugs, and they could be used openly. In fact, some Westerners thought the Nepalese were generally happy and content because they were always high. Although this view was a distortion, nonetheless it was very common to see elderly Nepalese men smoking marijuana, invariably mixed with tobacco, in public. Marijuana plants grew almost everywhere; sometimes they were found growing even along main streets. Locally produced hashish also was widely consumed, particularly during festivals celebrated by some ethnic groups and tribes. It was, however, very unusual for a Nepalese to develop a marijuana or hashish habit until reaching about forty years of age.
By the late 1980s, the situation had changed dramatically. There was an emerging drug subculture in the urban areas, and a number of youths, including college and high school students, sold and consumed drugs. Many of these youths had gone beyond using marijuana and hashish to more potent drugs, such as "crack" and cocaine--drugs unheard of in the past. In the 1960s, Westerners had sought release from the overbearing materialism of developed countries; they copied the Nepalese (and other Easterners) who smoked marijuana and hashish. Ironically, in the 1980s and 1990s, it was Nepalese youths who were enchanted by the North American material and drug culture. There were an estimated 20,000 heroin addicts in 1989. In response to the drug situation in the country, in the late 1980s the government initiated antinarcotics measures and narcotics training, and King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev directed extensive media attention to narcotics abuse. The effectiveness of the battle against narcotics, however, was limited by the lack of an official government body to target drug abuse.

SWOG: nepal profile

A study tour of dedicated and committed social workers from Nepal was organized for a period of 3 weeks in January1998 in different parts of India. During this period the participants availed of the opportunity to interact and share information about each other's programmes, understand their experiences, bare facts and problems confronted by them in the course of overall development process. The visit to different social organizations and groups in India and the study of their people centered development initiatives further inspired the participants to reaffirm their commitment and to consolidate their efforts through solidarity approach for community development initiatives. Today's Social Workers Group (SWOG) is the result of value commitment, determination and solidarity of these activists towards social development, Despite the political pressure from the then panchayat political system, SWOG   had been able to demonstrate a strong networking group of NGOs committed to struggle against the causes of poverty.

SWOG, which initially came into existence with the primary objective of periodical meeting, interaction and solidarity among group members developed into an autonomous social organization following the encouraging atmosphere that dawned in the country's social services sector after the mass movement of 1990. The organization received formal recognition from the government on 10th August 1990. The organization works purely as non-profit and non-partisan basis. SWOG has vision of self sustained and empowered rural communities committed for social justice and equity. Today SWOG is working with a mission of empowering the disadvantaged groups of the Nepalese society by strengthening their organizational capabilities.
 

SWOG Nepal Social Workers Group Nepal

SWOG (Social Workers Group) Nepal, which initially came into existence with the primary objective of periodical meeting, interaction and solidarity among group members developed into an autonomous social organization following the encouraging atmosphere that dawned in the country's social services sector after the mass movement of 1990. The organization received formal recognition from the government on 10th August 1990. The organization works purely as non-profit and non-partisan basis. SWOG has vision of self sustained and empowered rural communities committed for social justice and equity. Today SWOG is working with a mission of empowering the disadvantaged groups o f the Nepalese society by strengthening their organizational capabilities.
SWOG, which initially came into existence with the primary objective of periodical meeting, interaction and solidarity among group members developed into an autonomous social organization following the encouraging atmosphere that dawned in the country's social services sector after the mass movement of 1990. The organization received formal recognition from the government on 10th August 1990. The organization works purely as non-profit and non-partisan basis. SWOG has vision of self sustained and empowered rural communities committed for social justice and equity. Today SWOG is working with a mission of empowering the disadvantaged groups o f the Nepalese society by strengthening their organizational capabilities.
                               Objectives

The main objectives of the organization are as follows: To foster close relationship among development activists through networking for solidarity in action. To organize human resource development programme to strengthen the capability of the community for sustained development. To formulate, implement and evaluate community development programmes. To emerge itself as a pressure group which is vigilant against national and international causes responsible for making lives of the people miserable. To make people aware of the real causes of poverty and exploitation and make appropriate efforts to solve them. Program Thrust In order to achieve the above mentioned objectives, Social Workers Group ( SWOG) has initiated programmes at different levels. The major programme includes: National Level Programme Publication Natural Disaster Relief Udaypur Field Programme Drinking Water & Sanitation Programme Networking & Affiliation A promoter of NGO movement in Nepal International Forum & SWOG

 

Future Programmes

• To make continuous efforts at different levels to ensure that the landless and small farmers have their own land.
• To undertake reasearcg, training and evaluation as an important part of the programme and build infrastructure fo rits development activities.
• To translate development literature into simple Nepali and other national languages.
• To implement various programmes directed towards empowerment of poor and weaker sections of the society.
• To develop network with like minded NGOs at regional and international level for strong solidarity in action.