Nepali update

While reflecting on my blessings (it's Thanksgiving Day today in the United States, for those who don't know), it occurred to me that I hadn't checked recently to see how things were going in Nepal these days. (Last time I checked, things looked very bad over there.) Checking in with the United We Blog! for a Democratic Nepal site, the photograph with this post jumped out at me. (Don't worry, it's just a picture of a little girl, with a lot going on behind her eyes, as the saying goes.)

And then this jumped out at me. I didn't know there were huge democracy demonstrations, with thousands of people in the streets, just last weekend in Nepal. Did you?

Upon reading the text that goes with the photos from the demonstrations, I see that at least some of the demonstrations were lined up by folks you and I might not consider steady and reliable allies on a march toward a free and healthy, peaceful and prosperous society (emphasis mine):

Those people were not paid money to be there. They were not brought there with a free ride. They were there spontaneously. In fact, they struggled with security forces, administration network and state-mobilized vigilantes to get into the pro-democracy rally organized by the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist and Leninist) or CPN UML. It is shame that government tried to stop people from participating in that demo.

At a wild guess, the CPN UML idea of a democracy and mine might be a wee bit different? I don't know. (Hang on while blogger googles...)

Oops. Yes. They openly want a socialist state, not a republic. From the party's Ideology and People's Movement page:

The CPN (UML) is a political representative of the working and patriotic people of Nepal. The Party is firmly committed to nationalism, democracy, equality and justice and to enhance progress and prosperity of the people. The Party upholds the principles of socialism and pursues the road of People's Multi-Party Democracy which is a creative application of Marxism and Leninism in the Nepalese condition. Consolidation of democracy, strengthening people's sovereign rights, changing the socio-economic relation and acceleration of the economic development in the country are the major concerns of the Party. Periodical election and the government of the majority, pluralism, rule of law, human rights are other important elements of the People's Multi-Party Democracy. Economically self sustained society, quality education and health service, full employment and social security are also important features of the Party program aiming to achieve the welfare state. The Party fully believes in the harmony and the unity among the people of all religions, castes, communities and ethnic groups living in different geographical regions of the country. The Party works against any discrimination on the basis of race, religion, caste, ethnicity, sex and geographical region.

The Party believes that the material development of society should be closely linked with the spiritual upliftment of the people and it should be guided by the ideals of democracy and socialism. The Party adheres Marxism - Leninism as its guiding principle and socialism its goals to achieve.

Oh, is that what they mean over there when they say "democracy"?

We need new terminology or something, folks. Every time I turn around, someone else is using "democracy" to mean something different. I'm not too sure it's a good thing when we sound like we're talking about the same thing, but aren't. I know I can't keep all this straight...

Related earlier posts: Influencing Those Who Influence the Influential Here, We the Congressmen Respectfully Ask Your Majesty, and Radio Free Nepal.