Nepal: ‘Plain Living’ codes for Maoist Politicians

[Saorsa]

Nepal: ‘Plain Living’ codes for Maoist Politicians (http://southasiarev.wordpress.com/2008/12/02/nepal-plain-living-codes-for-maoist-politicians/)

Posted by n3wday on December 2, 2008
http://southasiarev.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/74485815_12f37e6035_b.jpg?w=300&h=250 (http://southasiarev.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/74485815_12f37e6035_b.jpg)As Maoists entered the capital Kathmandu and took up leading posts in society, there were criticisms from the ranks of their party that some cadre seemed to be adopting the lifestyle and culture of urbanize politicos (who are hated for their corruption and isolation from the people). Mao described the communist style as “plain living, hard struggle.” This article was published by Nepal News (http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2008/nov/nov30/news01.php).
Maoists introducing ‘codes for simple living’ for their CA members

The Maoists are introducing code of ethics detailing ’simple lifestyle’ for its Constituent Assembly (CA) members, reports Kantipur daily.
The daily reports that the codes include restriction on spending in mobile phones, vehicles and clothes.


Henceforth, the Maoist CA members would not be permitted to buy mobile sets worth over Rs 10,000. While central committee members will be allowed to keep three sets, the CA members will have to keep not more than two sets.

The code of ethics prepared by senior leader Post Bahadur Bogati also restricts Maoist CA members from buying foreign clothes. They will have to make do with domestic produce as far as possible.


Regarding the vehicle-type, the code says that they could buy relatively cheaper battery-run Chinese bikes.


The CA members will have to stay in groups and will have to use public transport. They are not allowed to take part in programmes held in star-hotels and not accept expensive gifts, among others.


The codes are being prepared amid criticisms that Maoist leaders were starting to lead opulent lifestyles opposed to their proletarian philosophy. nepalnews.com Nov 30 08

[Tatarin]

You know, I actually agree with this.

[Mindtoaster]

Nepal never ceases to pleasantly surprise me

[zimmerwald1915]

Mao described the communist style as “plain living, hard struggle.”
Silly me, I thought that was the Amish.:laugh:

[bretty]

I guess this could be good to fight corruption in the party.

[#FF0000]

The USSR started out with something like this called "Partmaximum". Soviet government workers couldn't make more than the salary of a skilled worker, with all extra income going to the Party. They got rid of that in 1936. They didn't really pay attention to it before that, either.

Hopefully the Maoists will stick to it.

[Saorsa]

Here's hoping. In and of itself it doesn't prevent counter-revolutionary forces arising in the party. Red China had a policy that all party (and maybe even all govt) figures had to spend a month working in the fields every year and living with the peasants, and while that's an excellent policy to have it obviously didn't prevent the restoration of capitalism...

[scarletghoul]

Thats awesome. If the Maoists succeed, hopefully more countries will follow Nepal's style of communism.

[chegitz guevara]

I'm not sure how I feel about this, actually. On the one hand, it's good to keep you leaders in touch with the people and keep them from living off the largess of others. However, this measure seems to be more anti-urban than anti-wealth. This is typical of peasant based politics, which sees the cities as a source of corruption and evil. The ultimate expression of this was Democratic Kampuchea under Pol Pot. I'm not saying that's what Nepal is headed for, I'm just not a fan of rural romanticism. It's reactionary politics.

[Saorsa]

However, this measure seems to be more anti-urban than anti-wealth.

In what way? I don't get that impression at all. What I see this as being about is the Maoists wanting to make sure that their CA members don't end up becoming disconnected from the masses and living lives of luxury in stark contrast the poverty endured by most Nepalis. This will have as much appeal to urban working-class Nepalis as it will to the peasants.

[Chapter 24]

In what way? I don't get that impression at all. What I see this as being about is the Maoists wanting to make sure that their CA members don't end up becoming disconnected from the masses and living lives of luxury in stark contrast the poverty endured by most Nepalis. This will have as much appeal to urban working-class Nepalis as it will to the peasants.

I completely agree. I don't think that this has all to do with "glorifying" or "fetishizing" about the peasants at all. By promoting this code of ethics among party members it will give them the opprotunity to appeal more the masses and be able to relate with their status among more realistic measures, i.e. not just spouting rhetoric but actually living a lifestyle similar to that of the masses.

[bretty]

In what way? I don't get that impression at all. What I see this as being about is the Maoists wanting to make sure that their CA members don't end up becoming disconnected from the masses and living lives of luxury in stark contrast the poverty endured by most Nepalis. This will have as much appeal to urban working-class Nepalis as it will to the peasants.

Agree. I didn't get that impression either.

[Ptah_Khnemu]

I think this is excellent. If they stick to it, of course.

[ev]

This is excellent news, I hope Nepal becomes a beacon of light to India and south-east Asian nations.

[chegitz guevara]

there were criticisms from the ranks of their party that some cadre seemed to be adopting the lifestyle and culture of urbanize politicos (who are hated for their corruption and isolation from the people).

I bolded the word that stood out to me.

[Invincible Summer]

I see how ensuring party members stay more like the proletariat can be beneficial, but at the same time, describing Communism as "plain living, hard struggle" sounds almost like primitivism...

[Dimentio]

I see how ensuring party members stay more like the proletariat can be beneficial, but at the same time, describing Communism as "plain living, hard struggle" sounds almost like primitivism...

Given that the average Nepali do not live on more than 1 dollar a day, I could understand this policy. I hope it won't mean that the party won't fight to make everyone at the bottom have it better.

[Woland]

Now this is how a communist party should behave. Well done, I have high hopes for the new government.

[Revy]

Well it's not regulating their salary. If this is all there is to it, it doesn't seem like much. It's basically saying they need to buy cheaper phones, use a bike or public transportation, can't go to fancy hotels, or accept expensive gifts. They could still theoretically be rich and live in a wealthy lifestyle, as those rules don't really cover everything.

What would have made more of a difference would have been a reduction of salary. The vehicle thing doesn't make sense at all. If they would have reduced the salary, the CA members would be buying cheaper cars. DUH! I agree with Chegitz.

[Labor Shall Rule]

Chegitz and Stancel,

What are "rural politicos" anyway? The local administrators, landlords, and tax collectors are those that can afford to focus on intellectual activity from the excessive rents, and the usurious interest rates, in labor and levies that they grab onto. Their propriety defines their social views - it's already clear that they have to be 'rehabilitated' (and put under "the supervision of the masses") in the first place. An (urban) politico is a different social group.

The 'city' (far from being a center of 'bourgeois excess') facilitates the production and circulation of capital at it's base, but it's superstructure reveals an urban culture and politics that alters human activity to be the antithesis of what we're aiming for. Mao - when he evaluated the work of "urban cadres" - saw that they would skimp work in the office for cinema, and demand more luxury goods. It's not that they were 'evil' or somehow wrong, but that "good living" (which was more possible in the cities) was unacceptable when everyone else was living in strict austerity.

You have to look at the concrete conditions of Nepal before you draw swift conclusions (calling them 'primitivists').