The dust is settling after what was a political whirlwind in Nepal, yet many are missing the context for the bigger-picture lessons to be learned about leadership, and passing the torch of governance on to the younger generation. Starting on Sept. 8th, a rapid 27 hours of protest transpired, during which activists rose up and shone light upon political privilege and nepotism. Afterward they would begin to reclaim their access to information and communication via social media and install a democratically elected interim leader. These are the bare facts, yes, but the means in which they were achieved — the methods used and the values they emphasized throughout — are not exclusive to the Nepali people, but rather may resound throughout an entire generation.
We are inching closer to the transfer of power into the hands of millennials and older Gen Z citizens, but what does governance look like from them? Values as theoretically simple as transparency, accountability, communication, and equity have become murky in the eyes of many older representatives currently in office, and the youth aren’t having it. In Nepal, we see a stunning example of Gen Z’s intolerance of hierarchical and privileged governance, as they continue trying to shine a light upon the value of merit, involvement, and candor from those in power. If there are any lessons to be learned from this, they should serve as portents of the future that demonstrate what the generational shift away from tradition and conservatism, toward action, bodes for us all.
Social media will continue to play an increasingly important role not only in how people are made aware of problems through news outlets and communication platforms, but also how those problems are addressed and handled. The Nepali revolution started after a selective social media ban, and its altogether decentralized movement likely would not have been able to organize without use of Bitchat and Discord. Internationally, we observe from this that with readily available information at the fingertips of this generation’s digital natives, control and censorship are likely to become less and less of an option for officials. This cements the sentiment of accountability and ownership as not just an expectation but a requirement from politicians. Trust and honesty from those representing and speaking for you shouldn’t be something to hope for, but a bare minimum that is immediately called out if not met.
Lack of legal repercussions and institutional reform were not tolerated when the government attempted to pacify the Nepali people, nor should they be acceptable as we transition into the digital commons for more and more of our commiseration and congregation. Politics are not just about elections, due process, in-person protests, or rallies — the status quo is of little merit if those upholding it are not accessible, able to answer the questions and criticism of the people, and are not candid with their constituents. The public forum has always been integral to democratic governance, but for Gen Z and their conception of the future, the public forum extends to digital gathering spaces just as much as physical ones. Social media offers the opportunity for injustice and incompetence to be called out, for things to not be buried or left in the dark, and makes it easier to hold leaders accountable to their words and actions.
There is more to this movement than just a shift of values and the ousting of older leaders. In Nepal, there is a history of political privilege and nepotism, but this exclusionary form of succession and rampant inaccessibility demanded system reform, not just transfer of power. Even in North America it is often harder to have your voice heard or to make a difference for your community if not already coming from an advantageous position of wealth and/or a non-marginalized identity. So, the Nepali revolution focused on merit and less on title, age, or background. This showed through in their Discord poll election of interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki, a 73-year-old former member of their Supreme Court, historically outspoken against corruption. The situation is still unfolding, and the movement may not be perfect, but as they find their footing and set an example of what Gen Z stands for, it is important to remember that Nepal is not a monolith, regardless of lessons to be learned. There isn’t a sole sentiment or way of living that embodies “the youth” but on a large scale, the migration from outdated perspectives and rules means room for new generations to set the standard. New expectations, new rules, and a new world.
By breaking down barriers to opportunity and authority, and rendering politics more participatory, it stands to reason that more accurate representation and fair leadership will become easier to ensure. Elitism begins to slowly fade, and in the hands of a new generation, perhaps the world will see that for the positive it surely is.
