Democratic civilian control of the Nepalese Army
Abstract
Civil-military relations in Nepal have evolved as the various forms of government have evolved in the last 30 years; as such, it is difficult to describe the current state of democratic civilian control of the Nepalese Army. This research describes institutional reforms that have been enacted, changes that have affected which individual exercises control over the Army, and how the Government of Nepal has integrated the former Maoist insurgents into both the government and Army. The researcher used a qualitative method to assess how Nepal has changed its Constitution, laws, bureaucracy, and systems to develop its current democratic civilian control system and compared Nepal's progress to that of El Salvador's efforts in the 1990's. This study determined that all too often the Army has had to divide its loyalties between two individuals or institutions and that this divided loyalty has caused problems for both the Army and Nepalese society. The following are recommendations or principles the Army must institutionalize to guide it through the still-evolving civil-military relationship discussions: the Army should focus on external threats, remain apolitical professionals, and remember that they represent all of Nepalese society.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 14, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA589671
Entities
People
- Bimal K. Basnet
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College