Social and Cultural Transformation in Nepal
“Culture does not shape humans, but humans shape culture.”
Background
Culture encompasses the complex totality of knowledge, art, science, beliefs, morality, law, and the capabilities and habits acquired by individuals as members of society. Cultural transformation involves changes in cultural values, norms, traditions, arts, behaviors, thoughts, and perspectives. Social and cultural transformation policies aim to foster a progressive, equitable, and inclusive society.
Social Transformation
Social transformation refers to significant changes in societal behaviors, customs, values, and norms. It involves a comprehensive shift in social structures, interactions, relationships, and organizations, moving from an existing state to a desired, improved state. This process, faster than mere reform, ultimately aims to enhance the happiness and well-being of individuals, communities, and the nation.
Areas of Social Transformation
- Social structures
- Social behaviors
- Social priorities
- Lifestyles
- Social relationships
- Occupations
- Social capabilities
- Social organizations
- Social interactions
Steps of Social Transformation
- Selfish/Ego-Centric Society: Early societies focused on individual survival, often disregarding others, leading to struggles for existence.
- Dualistic/Ethnocentric Society: Marked by social divisions and disparities in resources, opportunities, and access, resulting in exclusion and inequality.
- Evolutionary/Pluralistic Society: Increased education and awareness foster social facilities, health improvements, and collaborative behaviors, promoting unity.
- Holistic/Integrated Society: A society embracing unity in diversity, committed to universal benefits, and achieving uniformity in goods and services, forming a global society.
Cultural Transformation
Cultural transformation involves refining traditional values, norms, practices, languages, religions, and behaviors by integrating modern technology and thought, eliminating unscientific practices, and enhancing cultural practices to align with contemporary needs.
Areas of Cultural Transformation
- Preservation of positive cultural practices
- Elimination of cultural distortions
- Acceptance of cultural pluralism
Factors Influencing Social and Cultural Transformation
- Civic awareness and education
- Migration
- Democratization
- Mass communication
Processes of Social and Cultural Transformation
- Evolution
- Process
- Adaptation
- Development
- Migration
- Diffusion
- Urbanization
- Industrialization
- Innovation
- Revolution
- Modernization
- Westernization
- Sanskritization
- Acculturation
- Assimilation
Agents of Social and Cultural Transformation
- Political parties
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- State and government
- Community
- Educational institutions
- Great leaders and thinkers
- Family
- Means of transformation
- Information and communication technology (ICT)
- Press/media
- Intellectual communities
- International conventions and organizations
Concept of Society
Society is an abstract structure formed by the interplay and interdependence of human thoughts, ideas, reflections, and behaviors.
Social Transformation
Social transformation is the process of eliminating social evils, superstitions, distortions, inequalities, exploitation, and negative relationships, fostering progressive, scientific, civilized, truthful, and just societal bonds. It involves tangible positive changes in social values, ideas, conditions, processes, methods, knowledge, and practices, transitioning from one state or form to another (existing to expected).
Characteristics of Social Transformation
- Persistent as long as society exists.
- Universal and pervasive.
- Driven by political, economic, environmental, and other factors.
- May occur due to unforeseen reasons, making it unpredictable.
- Inevitable in a dynamic society.
- Context-specific to time, place, and circumstances.
- Alters human thoughts, ideas, and perspectives.
- Supported by the development and expansion of modern technology.
- Reflects the reality of a dynamic society.
- Essential for social development, progress, and advancement.
- Based on societal needs, demands, and acceptance.
- Broader and more enduring than mere change, yet inherently continuous and temporary.
Areas of Social Transformation
- Social Structures: Transition from caste-based to pluralistic societies and from joint to nuclear families.
- Social Behaviors: Equal treatment of genders, elimination of untouchability, bonded labor, and harmful practices like witchcraft accusations.
- Social Priorities: Shift from traditional infrastructure (trails, wells) to modern priorities like roads, communication, education, health, urban infrastructure, human development, environment, sustainable development, and space exploration.
- Lifestyles: Globalization has transformed diets, clothing, traditional occupations, and cultural practices, with societies seeking simplicity and convenience.
- Social Relationships: Redefinition of relationships, with emotional bonds surpassing blood ties, and technology (mobile, social media) bridging physical distances.
- Occupations: Traditional occupations are chosen freely, with all communities participating in diverse professions. Subsistence-based societies are shifting to industry and service-based economies, with agriculture becoming commercialized and modernized.
- Social Capabilities: Growth in education, health, rights awareness, and social security enhances social consciousness, development, participation, and ownership.
- Work Practices: Globalization and technological advancements have simplified complex tasks, expanded knowledge, and transformed work methods.
Principles of Social Transformation
- Economic Principle: Positive economic changes drive transformations in various social components.
- Technological Principle: Development, expansion, and transfer of technology facilitate knowledge sharing, impacting social activities.
- Dialectical Principle: Conflicts among diverse classes, ideas, and needs eliminate social evils, fostering equitable societies.
- Evolutionary Principle: Social transformation occurs gradually, akin to Darwin’s theory of evolution.
- Balance Principle: Change in one societal aspect triggers parallel changes in others.
Cultural Transformation
Culture is the collective term for lifestyles, thoughts, behaviors, civilization, and knowledge passed down through generations. It includes festivals, religious practices, customs, attire, food, traditions, and beliefs, serving as a complete lifestyle that fulfills physical, mental, and other needs. Cultural transformation refines traditional values and practices by integrating modern technology and thought, eliminating unscientific elements.
Characteristics of Cultural Transformation
- A dynamic and continuous process.
- Related to the entire lifestyle and behavior.
- A comprehensive change in cultural aspects.
- A natural societal norm.
- Supports social transformation.
- Occurs in both material and non-material forms.
Key Aspects of Cultural Transformation
- Preservation of Culture: Culture is a national asset, a foundation for nation-building, and a tool for ethical societies and governance.
- Elimination of Cultural Distortions: Harmful practices like untouchability, bonded labor, and gender-based customs (e.g., Chhaupadi, witchcraft) must be eradicated.
- Cultural Pluralism: Promoting identity, dignity, protection, tolerance, and coexistence to establish a multicultural society.
Effective Factors in Cultural Transformation
- Education and Awareness: Crucial for ending harmful practices and aligning cultural activities with modern needs.
- Democratization: Fosters open societies, embracing cultural pluralism and recognizing diverse languages, arts, and traditions.
- Migration: Facilitates cultural exchange, mutual respect, and social unity through shared practices and celebrations.
Means of Social and Cultural Transformation
- Evolution: Gradual societal transformation.
- Progress/Development: Industrialization and modernization transform traditional societies.
- Ideological Application: Concepts like freedom, human rights, and democracy drive transformation.
- Social Movements: Organized movements can change traditional systems.
- Educational Development: Formal and informal education transforms societal components.
- Information Technology: Simplifies complex social relationships.
- Political Awakening: Promotes inclusive, equitable societies.
- Cultural Influence: Social integration fosters progressive values.
- Awareness: Drives rights-based societal development.
- Revolution: Political, economic, and cultural revolutions create significant changes.
- Migration: Alters societal structures through relocation.
- Environment: Shifts societies from stagnation to progress.
- Globalization: Internationalizes social relationships and behaviors.
- Industrialization: Transforms production, relationships, and lifestyles.
- Modernization: Redefines human relationships and societal structures.
Reasons for Social and Cultural Transformation
- Increased education and awareness
- Planned efforts
- Democracy and democratization
- Psychological and philosophical reasons
- Social processes
- Demographic changes
- Advancements in communication technology
- Modernization and Western influence
- Development in transportation and infrastructure
- Geographical conditions and migration
- People’s movements/struggles
- Adaptation processes
- Industrialization and globalization
Arrangements for Social and Cultural Transformation in Nepal
Constitutional Provisions
Article 51(c) of Part 4 outlines policies for social and cultural transformation:
- Promoting a healthy and civilized culture.
- Building a society based on harmonious social relationships.
- Protecting, promoting, and developing historical, archaeological, and cultural heritage through research and dissemination.
- Encouraging local community creativity in social, cultural, and service-oriented activities.
- Promoting national heritage like arts, literature, and music.
- Ending all forms of discrimination, inequality, exploitation, and injustice in the name of religion, customs, or traditions.
- Maintaining cultural diversity, equality, and coexistence.
- Protecting and developing languages, scripts, cultures, arts, and heritage of various communities through a multilingual policy.
Legal Provisions
- Civil and Criminal Codes, 2074 BS
- Social Behavior Reform Act and Rules, 2033 BS
- Labor Act, 2074 BS
- Local Government Operation Act, 2074 BS, and other sectoral policies
Programmatic Arrangements
- Social security programs
- Special scholarship programs
- Women development programs
- Remote area development programs
- Karnali employment program
- Tarai-Madhesh prosperity program
- Declarations like freed bonded labor, Haliya liberation, and Nepal as a secular state
Institutional Arrangements
- Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation
- Constitutional commissions (e.g., National Dalit Commission, National Women Commission, National Inclusive Commission)
- Civil society
- Social Welfare Council
Challenges in Social and Cultural Transformation
- Lack of political and administrative commitment
- Diversity in Nepali society’s composition
- Illiteracy and poverty
- Ineffective implementation of legal provisions
- Weak institutional mechanisms
- Persistent social discrimination
- Low social awareness
- Prevalence of social distortions
- Superstitions and traditional practices
- Slow pace of societal modernization
- Lack of effective state policies and laws
Way Forward/Suggestions
- Enhance civic education and social awareness.
- Empower civil society for social transformation.
- Eliminate social distortions and superstitious beliefs.
- Prioritize societal modernization and scientific approaches.
- Develop and adopt effective policies and legal frameworks.
- Treat social transformation as a national campaign with strong political and administrative commitment.
- Address poverty and hunger to build an economic foundation for transformation.
Principles of Cultural Transformation
- Economic Principle: Economic improvements drive cultural changes.
- Technological Principle: Technological advancements facilitate cultural shifts.
- Dialectical Principle: Changes through debate and dialogue.
- Evolutionary Principle: Gradual cultural progress.
- Developmental Principle: Socio-economic development fosters transformation.
- Revolutionary Principle: Radical changes through revolutions.
- Critical Principle: Transformation through critical societal perspectives.
Dimensions of Cultural Transformation
- Preservation of Positive Culture:
- Protecting established cultural practices and heritage.
- Promoting and practicing positive cultural traditions.
- Cultural Freedom:
- Ensuring free cultural practice.
- Fostering tolerance among cultural groups.
- Preventing cultural conflicts.
- Cultural Pluralism:
- Recognizing diverse cultures.
- Promoting harmony, tolerance, and coexistence.
- Encouraging cultural unity, respect, and exchange.
- Time-Relevant Cultural Reform:
- Identifying and ending harmful traditions.
- Promoting cultural purity and awareness.
- Adopting positive cultural practices.
- Eliminating extravagance and wasteful practices.
Determinants of Cultural Transformation
- Evolution
- Progress/development
- Application of ideas and principles
- Social movements and conflicts
- Educational development
- Information technology advancements
- Political awakening
- Cultural influence
- Awareness
- Legal frameworks
- Revolution
- Migration
- Environment
- Globalization
- Industrialization
- Modernization
- Participation and collaboration
Conclusion
Through innovative thinking, cultural practices, and structural development, old social discriminations are gradually diminishing. Social and cultural values, customs, behaviors, and lifestyles are becoming increasingly progressive, fostering a just, equitable, and inclusive society.