Posted by: Vivant October 26, 2012
Login in to Rate this Post:
0 
? 
?
Very interesting article.
"Instead, he seems quite adamant on antagonizing liberal-minded Nepalis—a segment whose support is a must for the monarchy’s restoration."
That maybe true. However, I feel there aren't that many liberal minded Nepalese around, perhaps except some in the media, to tip the balance. It is really the professional and middle classes that ex-King Gyanendra needs to win over. The doctors, engineers, lawyers, government employees, teachers, journalists and the business community amongst others - Nepal's emerging elites - many of whom are surprisingly conservative in their thinking. The elites of yore, those who prospered on their own or with the blessings of the old establishment are still largely sympathetic towards the monarchy. The ex-King still appears to enjoy comfortable support amongst police and army personnel, especially officers, and their families as well as those identifying strongly with the religious orthodoxy. As the writer implies, that support is not enough to bring the monarchy back but the ex-monarch seems unwilling or unable to level with those outside his comfort zone.
I might add that it is not just the monarch who needs to change his thinking - his supporters need to as well. Many straight-thinking people who might otherwise sympathize with the monarchy are turned off by the social and political attitudes of those proposing a restoration of the monarchy. In spite of the abysmal performance of the mainstream political parties, the monarchy seems unable to capitalize on the discontent of the masses as the writer implies. Part of it seems to be the result of the skepticism with which the public views the King's surrogates. The message is lost because of bad messengers. Maybe this writer will prove to be the exception to that. If the King and much of his supporters approach the issue with a little more humility, people might perhaps be willing to listen again.
Just my thoughts.
"Instead, he seems quite adamant on antagonizing liberal-minded Nepalis—a segment whose support is a must for the monarchy’s restoration."
That maybe true. However, I feel there aren't that many liberal minded Nepalese around, perhaps except some in the media, to tip the balance. It is really the professional and middle classes that ex-King Gyanendra needs to win over. The doctors, engineers, lawyers, government employees, teachers, journalists and the business community amongst others - Nepal's emerging elites - many of whom are surprisingly conservative in their thinking. The elites of yore, those who prospered on their own or with the blessings of the old establishment are still largely sympathetic towards the monarchy. The ex-King still appears to enjoy comfortable support amongst police and army personnel, especially officers, and their families as well as those identifying strongly with the religious orthodoxy. As the writer implies, that support is not enough to bring the monarchy back but the ex-monarch seems unwilling or unable to level with those outside his comfort zone.
I might add that it is not just the monarch who needs to change his thinking - his supporters need to as well. Many straight-thinking people who might otherwise sympathize with the monarchy are turned off by the social and political attitudes of those proposing a restoration of the monarchy. In spite of the abysmal performance of the mainstream political parties, the monarchy seems unable to capitalize on the discontent of the masses as the writer implies. Part of it seems to be the result of the skepticism with which the public views the King's surrogates. The message is lost because of bad messengers. Maybe this writer will prove to be the exception to that. If the King and much of his supporters approach the issue with a little more humility, people might perhaps be willing to listen again.
Just my thoughts.