An Experiment with a Hybrid Regime in Nepal (1990–2006)

The purpose of this article is to examine the political transition in Nepal during a period of 16 years (1990–2006) when it operated under a multiparty parliamentary polity. It argues that if a system carries inherent contradictions despite the inclusion of some democratic provisions, it becomes a hybrid regime and encourages the non-democratic forces to be active. The political transformation in Nepal after the pro-democracy movement of 1990 embraced some democratic provisions but contained several inherent flaws, making it a hybrid regime and failing to produce any substantive transformation. Consequently, two extreme forces – an ultra leftist force known as Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) and an ultra rightist force under the leadership of King Gyanendra – emerged and sought to reverse the political gains made after 1990. Keywords democratic transition • electoral democracy • hybrid regime • Nepal – Maoist insurgency • Nepal – Monarchy • Nepal – pro-democracy movemen