Rising Ethno-Cultural Nationalism in Nepal: Postmodern Illusion or Democratic Delusion?

On 10 April 2008, Nepal turned a new page in its history. Nearly two decades of violence and instability caused by an ongoing political, economic, and cultural crisis ended with the stunning electoral success of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist). In addition to resolving the well-known structural and economic imbalances of the country, after five decades of failed development, Nepal must also find a way to resolve the crisis of rising ethno-cultural nationalism amidst continuing conditions of inequality. We suggest Nepali nationalism provides a grand narrative that goes to the heart of the future of Nepal and its prospects for a sustained democracy.