Social Contract and Identity Politics in Nepal: A Sociological Analysis

Abstract

This paper draws on sociological on the sociological knowledge to explore and establish the association between social contract (state-citizen relationship) and identity politics in Nepal. The study delves indepth in the empirical study of inequality, participation in state mechanisms, and power dynamics that have historically shaped the state and power.  This study presents a clear evidence on how class, caste, culture, gender, and geography all affect the decisions of the marginalized and disadvantaged communities in addressing long-prevailing issues of social inequality and exclusion through identity politics. The paper has carried out an analysis based on qualitative data and secondary sources such as recent journal articles, books, international and government reports, and dossiers related to the topic. The idea of federalism, as embedded in the Nepalese Constitution 2072, as a tool of state governance and a basis of the social contract, is not always wholly accepted by citizens. The increasing distrust in political parties and governance, poor service delivery, and political impunity have only further fueled the issue of identity politics in Nepal. The study concludes that for the just democratic functioning of the state and the significance of a social contract, fundamental challenges such as economic, gender, social, and historical inequalities must be addressed.