The Politics of Social Rights

This article examines the first steps in developing broad-based social insurance in Nepal, focusing on social protection cash transfers and the provision of free essential health care. Policy changes have been skilfully promoted by politically influential individuals with a strong vision for the development of social policies while the circumstances of political ‘transition’ have created an opportunity for defining universal rights in the Constitution. A political consensus has developed in favour of these policies because of the electoral advantages that have accrued to their promoters. Implementation has been favoured by the administrative simplicity of the measures taken though a more stable political environment will be required for deeper institutional change.