Nation-Building and Federalism in Nepal, by Krishna Hachhethu.

Krishna Hachhethu's book, "Nation-Building and Federalism in Nepal," provides a comprehensive analysis of Nepal's transformation from an authoritarian to a democratic state, from a Hindu to a secular state, from a monarchy to a republic, and from a unitary state to a federation. Hachhethu, a seasoned analyst of Nepali politics and a member of the High-Level State Restructuring Commission, offers valuable insights into the negotiation processes that shaped Nepal's new state structure. The book explores the concepts of state-nation and nation-state, the role of ethnic mobilization, and the debate between ethnic and territorial federalism. While the author expresses some dissatisfaction with the final outcome of Nepal's federal set-up, the book remains an important resource for understanding federal and democratic transitions, particularly in post-conflict contexts. [Extracted from the article]