KATMANDU -- The struggle over Nepal's political future seems to be unsolvable. Just as one group gains the upper hand and consolidates support for their cause, the opportunity slips away in a haze of bullets or boycotts.
Outside parties are moved to support various groups depending on which one is seen to support democratic ideals or human rights. While human rights and democracy have universal acceptance and support, the ways in which they are perceived and promoted does not bode well for the future of Nepal.
For example, the insistence that Nepal become a multiparty democracy suggests that voting rights and political participation are the final aim of the struggle. But democracy alone cannot and does not guarantee peace or prosperity. Indeed, democracy can become a hollow vessel that allows political leaders to usurp the freedom and wealth of citizens.