Why Nepal Just Overthrew its Government - PolyMatter

[TexasTowelie]

Nepal's recent political upheaval was triggered by a government social media ban, leading to an unprecedented situation where a new Prime Minister was effectively chosen through a Discord poll.

Key Events
• The government demanded social media companies register immediately, then banned platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram
• Peaceful protests erupted, quickly escalating into violent unrest that killed ~70 people and destroyed billions in property
• The Prime Minister resigned, and protest leaders used Discord to conduct an anonymous poll to select a new PM
• 73-year-old former Supreme Court Justice Sushila Karki won and was sworn in

Root Economic Problem
The real issue wasn't social media—it was Nepal's remittance-dependent economy:

• 2,000 Nepalis leave daily for work abroad (mainly Middle East, South Korea, India)
• Remittances comprise an estimated two-thirds of Nepal's GDP
• 76% of households rely on money sent home by migrant workers
• Money flows in as remittances but immediately flows out as imports—nothing is built domestically

The Vicious Cycle
Nepal is trapped: workers must go abroad because there are no opportunities at home, but opportunities can't develop because workers leave. Meanwhile, successive governments have used remittances as an easy substitute for actual economic development, focusing instead on corruption. The social media ban—which cut off communication between migrants and their families—was the final straw that ignited long-simmering frustration.

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Glad I went there a year ago instead of this fall.