izen, I thought there was no I in Zen?that they were mutually exclusive, but again I could be mistaken. Anyway, you ask if such theoretical ideas are possible to be converted into realistic operation. My opinion, for all its worth is that it is possible. What really matters is how the people are represented. If representation means simply generating votes by force/coercion/bribery or what have you, then such process beats its own purpose. And as we become more centralized?decisions made for people by people who have nothing to do with those people are of little or no utility and power exerted by them a futile exercise who could care less what the ramification of that would be. A decentralized government will provide a proper representation of its people?their problems, strengths and possible remedy, at the same time seek accountability in the event it is abused or misused. Further, if you look at Nepal, the majority of its people are poor and un-educated. But they have slowly understood what the real cause of that is. They have taken initiative to pull themselves out of that dark abyss, as evident by their motivation to join the Maoist and fight the system. I cannot vouch for all, but I am sure the majority of them are in the movement for the right reasons and not just adventure. Invitation of an open participation and competition for all as practiced in western countries again means the access of the same handful of Kathmandu elites (because our standard of a leader is one who is educated, cosmopolitan etc..) who have been juggling the life and future of many Nepalis in the past and would continue to do so. Hence we go again in the same vicious downward spiral--one that can end us up in a much worse position than what we have now.