- The quest for extending parity, equality, neutrality, and a level-playing field for every stratum of humanity is spoken to, often heard, fiercely debated, as well as contested since times immemorial. History is replete with several luminaries fighting for the cause of the same against tyrants, autocrats, dictators, cruel satraps, and, in modern times, against oppressive governments led by inhumanely cruel personalities, completely cut off from the realities of the times. Yes, we always look out for some welcoming changes. Of course, people have a threshold of patience that can never be taken for granted since toleration would soon pave the way for spirited fightback that may simply topple the established order in no time. Look at what’s happened in Nepal recently.
PC: Amar Ujala
- None would have expected such a radical alteration to our neighbouring country’s fortunes that must have stunned the global community to no end. Nepal is another cautionary tale of governments acting like the elitist 1% that eventually resulted in the ouster, bowing to the pressure exerted by youths. Inequality has existed almost from the time humans settled down as agriculturists 10,000 years ago, and there’s a view that governments emerged as a way for the elite to exploit the rest. Oli’s government perhaps subscribed to it. Otherwise, it would have picked up the tectonic rumblings that brought it down last week. Although not the worst, Nepal’s inequality problem is serious. The top 1% of its population pockets 13.4% of income.
PC: ThePrint
- And the bottom half lives at 18.5%. Wealth inequality is much worse – the top 1% holds 25%, the bottom half only 4%. Reports say ordinary Nepalis felt powerless and disenfranchised in the face of this disparity. But the youth, especially, are chafed at the growing arrogance of the powerful, and their own diminishing prospects in an economy that increasingly runs on remittances. As a communist, Oli would have been familiar with Marx’s warning about history repeating itself, first as tragedy and then as farce. Mind you, France wasn’t poor in 1789 – its GDP was thrice the size of Britain’s – but it brought the Revolution upon itself by coddling the elite while flogging the masses. Tsarist Russia ran into the same twister.
PC: The Herald Journal
- Further, the past century has been even more unforgiving to govts that cling to the idea of Divine Right. Centuries ago, our own Arthashastra laid down simply what govts were expected to do – provide security, justice, and economic prosperity to people. Those basics haven’t changed. Modern govts everywhere are expected to deliver these goods. Even autocracies like China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia are mindful of the aspirations of their masses now. Simply put, the truth is people agreed to submit to govts 5,000 years ago in return for public benefits. That’s the original contract. No sooner than the leaders across the world realize this simple but profound truth, people would not be compelled to raise the red flags, leading to ousters and chaos.
