Conclusions Of Popular Struggles


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Conclusions Of Popular Struggles

Democracy And Popular Struggles: Both the struggles in Nepal and Bolivia were successful but their impact was different. The movement of Nepal was to establish democracy but the struggle in Bolivia was against one specific policy the government. Inspite of this difference, both the stories share some elements which are relevant to the study of the past and future of democracies. Both the struggles involved mass mobilisation. Both instances involved critical role of political organisation.The following important conclusions can be drawn from these two struggles :-

  • Democracy develops gradually through popular struggles. Democracy involves conflict between those groups, who have exercised power and those, who aspire for a share in power. The situation of conflict arises when the country is going through transition to democracy, expansion of democracy or deepening of democracy.
  • The democratic conflict is resolved through mass mobilisation. Sometimes, the conflict is resolved by using the existing institutions like the Parliament and Judiciary. It is possible that some significant decisions may take place through consensus and may not involve any conflict at all, but that would be an exception.
  • The conflict and mobilisation are based on new political organisation. The spontaneous public participation becomes effective with the help of organised politics. The organised politics has many agencies like political parties, pressure groups and movement groups.
  • Mobilisation and Organisations: In a democracy, several different kinds of organisations work behind any big struggle. These organisations play their role in two ways.

  • One way is direct participation in competitive politics. It is done by creating parties, contesting elections and forming governments. But every citizen does not have the desire, the need or the skills to take part in direct political activity other than voting.
  • Another ways is indirect participation in which people can get governments to listen to their demands. They form an organisation and undertake activities to promote their interests or Viewpoints. Such organisations are called Interest groups or Pressure groups. Sometimes people decide to act together without forming an organisation.
  • In Nepal, the call for indefinite strike was given by the Seven Party Alliance (SPA). The mass rising was joined by the Nepalese Communist Party (Maoist). Many organisations other than political parties were also involved in this movement. These were labour  uniions, organisation of the indigenous people, teachers, lawyers, human rights groups, etc.The Bolivia Water War was led by an organisation called FEDECOR (Federation Departmental Cochabamba de Regantes) which comprised of local professionals, including engineers and environmentalists. It supported by a federation of farmers, who relied on irrigation factory workers unions middle-class students, homeless street children and also by the Socialist Party. The Socialist Party came to power in Bolivia in 2006.

    # Pressure groups :- A pressure group is such a group of people having common interests which exerts pressure on the government for the fulfilment of its interets. 

    # Movement groups :- Groups involved with movements are called "Movement Groups " . they include a very wide variety movement groups which are both specific and general in order to achieve desired goals . 

     
     


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