Domestic Political Factors, and It’s Impact on Nepal’s Foreign Policy Choices
Author
Pachhai, Dammar Bahadur
Term
4. term
Publication year
2013
Submitted on
2013-10-01
Pages
80
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan Nepal har truffet udenrigspolitiske beslutninger fra begyndelsen af 1950’erne til i dag, og hvilke resultater disse valg har givet. Udenrigspolitik forstås her som den måde, et land håndterer sine relationer til andre stater. Undersøgelsen sætter Nepals adfærd ind i en historisk ramme og ser på, hvordan indenrigspolitik, ledere og geografi påvirker beslutningerne. Analysen peger på, at Nepals ustabile politiske forhold gentagne gange har åbnet for udefrakommende indflydelse, både tilsigtet og utilsigtet. Siden genindførelsen af flerpartidemokrati i 1990 har udenrigspolitikken ofte båret præg af politiske lederes personlige prioriteringer frem for en konsekvent, nationalt forankret linje. Fra midten af 1800-tallet og frem har herskere og politiske eliter hyppigt søgt ekstern støtte for at sikre regimes stabilitet eller forfølge personlige mål. Siden de tidlige 1950’ere har større politiske forandringer i Nepal typisk involveret betydelig ekstern medvirken. Specialet fremhæver også, hvordan Nepals placering mellem Indien og Kina giver landet strategisk betydning og begrænser dets handlerum. Til tider er bilaterale traktater og aftaler med nabolande (aftaler mellem to lande) blevet indgået med begrænset opmærksomhed på de bredere konsekvenser for landet og dets borgere. Afskaffelsen af monarkiet i 2006–2008 markerede et dramatisk skifte. Efterfølgende øgede Kina sin involvering i Nepals interne forhold, selv om landet officielt taler for ikke-indblanding, mens Indien siden regimeskiftet i 1950’erne har haft en dominerende position. Før 2006 førte monarkiet generelt en balanceret linje over for Indien og Kina; denne balance er nu til diskussion. Samlet set undersøger specialet, hvordan indenrigspolitiske dynamikker og andre forhold—som lederes incitamenter og geografi—former Nepals udenrigspolitiske valg, beslutningsprocesser og resultater.
This thesis examines how Nepal has made foreign policy decisions—from the early 1950s to today—and what those choices have produced. Here, foreign policy means how a country manages its relations with other states. The study places Nepal’s behavior in historical context and looks at how domestic politics, leaders, and geography shape decisions. The analysis indicates that Nepal’s volatile politics have repeatedly opened the door to outside influence, both intended and unintended. Since the restoration of multiparty democracy in 1990, foreign policy has often reflected political leaders’ personal priorities rather than a consistent, nationally anchored approach. From the mid-19th century onward, rulers and political elites have frequently sought external support to secure regime stability or pursue personal goals. Since the early 1950s, major political changes in Nepal have typically involved significant external participation. The thesis also highlights how Nepal’s location between India and China gives it strategic importance and limits its room for maneuver. At times, bilateral treaties and agreements with neighbors (agreements between two countries) were concluded with limited attention to their broader consequences for the country and its citizens. The abolition of the monarchy in 2006–2008 marked a dramatic shift. Afterward, China increased its engagement in Nepal’s domestic affairs, even while promoting a policy of non-interference, and India has maintained a predominant role since the political change of the 1950s. Before 2006, the monarchy generally pursued a balanced approach toward India and China; that balance is now in question. Overall, the thesis explores how domestic political dynamics and other factors—such as leadership incentives and geography—shape Nepal’s foreign policy choices, decision-making, and outcomes.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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