1. Popular Struggle & Movements

2. Nepal… Won democracy in 1990. Formal power was with the King.
Real power with elected representatives.
2001 – Massacre of Royal Family, Gyanendra took charge.
2005 – Dissolution of Parliament.
Popular control over Govt. headed by the King.
7 Party alliance called for a 4 day strike. Maoists & other organisations joined.
21st April, King conceded to all demands leading to :
Restoration of Parliament.
Seizure of power from the Ruler.
To make Koirala Prime Minister.
Maoists & SPA came to an agreement about a new constituent assembly to be elected.

3. Bolivia… Fight against Privatization of Water
World Bank pressurised Government to give up control of Municipal Water supply.
Sale of rights to a MNC for the City of Cochabamba.
Company raised the price of water 4 times.
4 day general strike by Labour and Human Rights and Community leaders.
Government agreed to negotiate.
Power of the people forced MNC to flee & made Government to concede to all demands.
Water supply was restored to municipality at old rates.

4. Similarities… Nepal & Bolivia Involvement of political organisations
Instances of political conflict that led to popular struggles
Involvement of mass mobilisation
Public demonstration of mass support clinched the dispute
Involvement of political organisations

5. Nepal Bolivia Differences… To establish democracy
Foundation of country`s politics
SPA had some big parties with MP’s
MAOISTS did not believe in parliamentary democracy, involved themselves in armed struggle thereby establishing control over large parts. They were joined by labour unions. Organisation of indigenous people, teachers, lawyers and human rights groups.
Bolivia
Claims on an elected Govt.
One specific policy
FEDECOR composed of Professionals, engineers and environmentalists
Federation of farmers, confederation of factory worker`s unions, middle class students from University of Cochabamba and the city`s growing population of homeless street children. Socialist Party supported this.

6. Two way roles of these organisations are …
Direct participation in competitive politics
Creation of parties contesting elections and forming Governments

7. Formation of Organizations…
Those organisations that undertake activities to promote their interest are called INTEREST GROUPS or PRESSUREGROUPS.
PRESSURE GROUPS :
Influence Government policies
Do not aim at directly controlling or sharing political power.
Formed when people with common occupation, interests, aspirations or opinions come together to achieve a common objective.

8. Pressure Groups… Movements : Narmada BachaoAndolan Women’s Movement
Influence politics rather than directly take part in electoral competition
They are loose organisations
Make informal decisions and are flexible
They depend on spontaneous mass participation

9. Sectional Groups… Interest Groups… Are united organisations
Do not care much for mass participation
Promote the interest of a particular section or group of society
Example : Trade Unions, Business Associations & Professional Bodies
Sectional Groups…
Represent a section of society
Example : Workers, Employees, Business Groups, Industrialists, Followers of Religion & Caste Groups
Aims : Betterment of their members & not society in general

10. Groups… Promotional Groups
FEDECOR (FeracionDepartamentalCochabambina de Regantes)
Represents some common or general interest that needs to be defended.
Members may not benefit from the cause that the organisation represents.
Promotional Groups
Promote collective good
Aim to help groups rather than their own members
Group fighting against bonded labour is an example
They are also called public interest groups

11. Groups… Movement Groups
BAMCEF(Backward & Minorities Community Employees Federation)
Made of Govt. employees that campaigns against caste discrimination
It addresses problems of its members who suffer discrimination
Its concern is with social justice and social equality for the entire society
Movement Groups
Issue specific movements and seek to achieve a single objective within a limited time frame

12. Single Issue Movements…
Nepalese Movement
Specific objective of reviving the king’s orders that led to suspension of democracy
Narmada BachaoAndolan
Specific issue of people displaced by creation of SardarSarovar Dam
Objective
To stop the dam
Questioned all such big dams and requirement of such dams
Has a clear leadership and organisation
Active life is short

13. Long Term & More Than One Issue Movements…
No single organisation controls /guides such movements.
All these have a separate organisation, independent leadership and different views on policy.
Example :
Environmental movement
Women’s movement

14. National Alliance for People’s Movements(NAPM)…
Movement groups struggling on specific issues are constituents of this loose organisation which co ordinates the activities of a large number of people`s movements

15. How do Pressure Groups & Movements exert influence on Politics ?
They gain public support and sympathy for their goals by carrying out information campaigns, meetings and petitions.
They influence media by giving attention to these issues
Protest activities like strikes are done to force the Government to take note of their demand
Business groups employ professional lobbyists or sponsor expensive advertisements
They participate in official bodies and committees that offer advice to the Government
Sometimes political parties grow out of movements Example DMK and AIADMK

16. Groups…
Interest groups and movements do not directly engage in politics but seek to influence on political parties
Movement groups take a political stance without being a party
They have political ideologies and position on major issues
Is their influence healthy?
Pressure groups have deepened democracy.
Governments can often come under undue pressure from a small group of rich and powerful people
Public interest groups and movements perform a useful role of countering this influence and reminding the Government of the needs and concerns of ordinary citizens
Sectional groups prevents the domination of one group over the rest
They bring about a rough balance of power and accommodation of conflicting interests