Rastriya Swatantra Party Adopts 'Social Democracy' as Guiding Principle

Kathmandu. Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) will make social democracy its guiding principle. At a time when it is being commented that the party has been unclear in its political and ideological perspective even after four years of its formation, the party has tried to institutionalize 'social democracy' as its guiding principle by determining its ideological stance through its general convention.

RSP, which had adopted 'constitutional socialism' as its guiding principle at the time of its establishment, has changed it to 'social democracy' as its official political philosophy based on five main pillars, with a modification of words.

'We are neither traditional leftists nor rightists, and we are not limited to that political polarization knowingly,' it is stated in the political document presented and passed by Chairman Rabi Lamichhane on Tuesday at the first general convention taking place in Chitwan. 'We prioritize a practical, sensible, need-based, and reality-based perspective, not any rigid ideological framework.'

What is in Rabi Lamichhane's political report? (Full Text)

According to the ideology put forward by Lamichhane, the historical contributions, experiences, and positive practices given by old structures to human society will be respected. 'But we will weigh them on the scale of practical utility and social justice,' it is stated in Chairman Lamichhane's report. 

Political science professor Dr. Lokraj Baral comments that the word included in the guiding principle put forward by RSP is just a wordplay. 'This is wordplay. The current constitution says socialism. Other political parties also say socialism,' said Professor Baral. 'But RSP has replaced socialism with the word social.'

Professor Baral said that this might be an attempt by RSP to show that it is in the middle. 'This appears to be just a mutual wordplay saying we are not left, we are not rightist, we will take the middle path,' Baral said. 'It is intended to show that they can work for social justice.'

According to Baral, it can also be understood as the government taking responsibility for things like removing various discriminations in society and moving forward through a mixed economy. 'In a situation where the debate between capitalism and socialism is ongoing, it can be understood that we will move forward through a mixed economy, but that is not different from what is being practiced in Nepal now.'

Lamichhane has shown that they are not in favor of the idea of having to move forward with any single ideological framework, saying that promoting the private sector, an investment-friendly environment, and competition might appear 'rightist', while ensuring basic health services and education for all citizens would appear 'leftist'.

'Startup, private enterprise, and market freedom might not show it, but leftist labor rights, minimum wage, and social security guarantees will,' it is stated in Chairman Lamichhane's report. 'We believe that the state, society, and economy should be advanced not by any single ideological framework, but by a mixed, balanced, and situationally appropriate perspective.'

RSP's Political Ideology Changed

Not only that, he has given a symbolic indication by saying that they will get their eyes tested before making glasses. The meaning of this, according to political experts and analysts, could be the main objective of the government and the private sector working together to advance the country on the path of development and prosperity according to the needs of society and the desires of the Nepali citizens of today.

The chairman's report states that it is inappropriate to adopt the constitution itself as an ideology or principle. 'This does not mean an unacceptability of the constitution in any way; the country's constitution and the party's policies, ideas, and principles are two separate matters.'

RSP has explained its political philosophy on five bases. 'We consider democratic values, a competitive economy, strong institutions, accountable governance, and an inclusive society as complementary to each other,' said Chairman Lamichhane. 'Our goal is not just to form a government, but to change the character of the state. Not just to gain power, but to restore the trust of the citizens. To build a capable, prosperous, and just Nepal for future generations.'

Tribhuvan University political science associate professor Dr. Bheshraj Ghimire also agrees with Baral's statement.

'The principle passed by the ongoing RSP general convention, which includes the term social democracy, is a system that has organized a distribution-oriented system from the developed stage of capitalism,' said associate professor Ghimire. 'This system is particularly adopted by the Scandinavian countries in Europe.'

However, he said that while RSP is embracing social democracy as its guiding principle, the government led by it is working against the principle by imposing taxes on education and health while bringing the budget according to the current constitution.

'Even under this constitution, citizens' access to education and health should be ensured,' Ghimire said. 'It appears that they are trying to differentiate themselves from others by using new words and new jargon in documents rather than in practice.'

Associate professor Ghimire also clarified that there is no difference between 'social democracy' and 'socialism-oriented democracy' in theory. 'What the constitution envisions as a socialism-oriented democracy, which allows the private sector to work and the government to respond to the natural rights of citizens,' said Dr. Ghimire. 'European countries are practicing social democracy.'

Similarly, RSP has also clarified its stance on the form of governance and the electoral system. Regarding the form of governance, RSP has included in its document the goal of moving towards a directly elected executive system through constitutional amendment.

'We are in favor of a fully proportional electoral system instead of the extremely expensive electoral system, which ensures the representation of all communities. We are in favor of making the current National Assembly a non-partisan expert assembly and the Vice President its chairman,' it is stated in RSP Vice Chairman Dr. Swarnim Wagle's अर्थराजनीतिक प्रस्ताव ( अर्थराजनीतिक प्रस्ताव).

RSP, which also appears to be in favor of restructuring provincial assemblies and provincial governments, has mentioned in its document that provincial assemblies should be abolished and local levels should be reduced.