Opinion | Are Nepal’s celebrated technocrats serving the country or global capital?
Summary
Nepal’s celebrated technocrats are portrayed as intermediaries who package Western economic models as homegrown solutions while steering the country deeper into aid dependence and market-driven reforms. The opinion piece argues that foreign accolades reward alignment with global capital rather than genuine sovereignty or public accountability.
Key Points
- The article argues that Nepal’s internationally praised technocrats are rewarded for aligning the country with Western financial orthodoxy.
- It says crises such as the 2015 earthquake and today’s climate disasters are used to justify market-based solutions, foreign loans and climate finance tools.
- Ram Sharan Mahat and Swarnim Wagle are cited as examples of leaders whose recognition reflects their usefulness to global capital.
- The piece warns that dependence on aid and multilateral institutions weakens Nepal’s state capacity and economic sovereignty.
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