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         article-type="Research Paper"
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  <front>
    <journal-meta>
      <journal-title-group>
        <journal-title>Indian Journal of Social Enquiry</journal-title>
        <abbrev-journal-title abbrev-type="publisher">IJSE</abbrev-journal-title>
      </journal-title-group>
      <issn pub-type="epub">applied</issn>
      <issn pub-type="ppub">0974-9012</issn>
      <publisher>
        <publisher-name>Prof Gitanjali Chawla</publisher-name>
      </publisher>
    </journal-meta>
    <article-meta>
      <article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">IJSE2180003</article-id>
      <title-group>
        <article-title>Eroding Trust, Emerging Voices: Youth and Democratic Legitimacy in Nepal and Sri Lanka</article-title>
      </title-group>
      <contrib-group>
        <contrib contrib-type="author">
          <name>
            <surname>Chauhan</surname>
            <given-names>Shikha</given-names>
          </name>
          <xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/>
        </contrib>
      </contrib-group>
      <aff id="aff1">Maharaja Agrasen College, University of Delhi</aff>
      <pub-date pub-type="epub" iso-8601-date="2026-09-03">
        <month>09</month>
        <day>03</day>
        <year>2026</year>
      </pub-date>
      <volume>18</volume>
      <issue>2</issue>
      <fpage>56</fpage>
      <lpage>70</lpage>
      <abstract>
        <p>This paper delves into the trajectory of democracy in Nepal and Sri Lanka
which represent two distinct yet converging stories of political transformation
in South Asia. While Nepal’s journey has been defined by a transition from
monarchy to a federal democratic republic, Sri Lanka’s post-independence
experience reflects a long-standing electoral democracy grappling with
majoritarian politics, economic crises, and institutional stress. Despite their
differing historical paths, both countries today face a common challenge: the
erosion of democratic trust, particularly among younger citizens. Increasing
corruption and mismanagement of public funds, the wide age gap between the
rising Gen Z and ageing political leaders and the ensuing gap in aspirations,
amongst other glaring problems has led to a trust deficit. The paper posits a
multi-dimensional approach through civic and democratic engagement with
Gen Z in both countries for a synergic renewal.</p>
      </abstract>
      <kwd-group kwd-group-type="author">
        <kwd>Democracy</kwd>
        <kwd>Nepal</kwd>
        <kwd>Sri Lanka</kwd>
        <kwd>Gen Z</kwd>
        <kwd>Digital activism</kwd>
      </kwd-group>
    </article-meta>
  </front>
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