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- Title
ICT and Institutional Transformations in the Global South: A Study of the Rejuvenation of the Guthi Institution in Nepal.
- Authors
Shakya, Shobhit; Drechsler, Wolfgang
- Abstract
At a juncture where various streams questioning the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in democratic governance have joined, this paper explores how a traditional South Asian institution - the Guthi - is rejuvenated, if not resuscitated, by ICT. Furthermore, this study examines how the Guthi was transformed, especially - but not only - by the communication aspect, prompted by a cataclysmic event, and also propelled towards global normative priorities. The case came to attention after the major earthquake of 2015 in Nepal. The Guthi, the traditional institution of cooperative self-governance prevalent primarily amongst the Newars of Kathmandu Valley, was in serious decline and the earthquake laid bare the void it had left behind. Leveraging on ICT and following their traditions, the communities put forward the case for their participation in rebuilding efforts. Especially the case for community participation, but also possibilities through ICT in general, "spun off" new iterations of the Guthi: neo-Guthis, sub-Guthis, and quasi-Guthis. We argue that much of the criticism that is levelled against the Guthi today ignores these newer iterations of the institution and solely focuses on the ancient guthis. As we put forth, it was the reaction to the demand of the time as well as utilizing the digital tools available, and even adapting the organization(s) to do so, that enabled the rejuvenation of an indigenous institution for the common good.
- Subjects
NEPAL; INFORMATION &; communication technologies; COMMUNITY involvement; EARTHQUAKES; SOCIAL media
- Publication
Journal of Community Informatics, 2023, Vol 19, Issue 1, p48
- ISSN
1712-4441
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.15353/joci.v19i1.4948