Political Elite Formation and State Power Structure in Post 2006 Nepal: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: This research paper is aimed at studying the process of transition of political power in Nepal from a monarchial form of governance to the establishment of a federal democratic republic from 2006-2026 as an illustrative example of how the phenomenon of the distribution of power operates and what role the process of elite formation plays during political transitions in transitional states. The purpose of the research is to explore whether the political power is really dispersed among broader elite groups.

Methodology: The research is conducted through the use of the descriptive and conceptual-analytical methodology and relies exclusively on the use of secondary data. These include peer-reviewed scientific articles, official governmental reports and documentation, as well as historical records of the period of political transition in Nepal, which took place during two decades (from 2006 to 2026). The framework used for analysis combines classical elite theory and contemporary theories of the state.

Conclusion: The political change in Nepal is a testament to how resilient the elites are in sustaining their dominance despite substantial institutional reforms. Federalism has brought about new formal mechanisms for inclusion without upsetting power relations. The paper finds that in order for true democratization to happen, it is important not only to reform formal institutions but also informal socio-political networks as well.

Contribution: The current paper provides a framework that looks at both formal institutions and informal power networks to explain elite domination in federal democracies in Nepal after 2006.