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I'm from Nepal. We're next doors to Myanmar. We have democracy, social policies (even universal healthcare, which is comically bad anyway but we do have that),

I'm from Nepal. We're next doors to Myanmar. We have democracy, social policies (even universal healthcare, which is comically bad anyway but we do have that), freedom of speech, free press, yadda yadda but Myanmar is still richer than us. The disagreements of democratically elected leaders has been the main cause of political instability for us for more than a decade now.

rational_indian 6y ago
> We have democracy, social policies (even universal healthcare, which is comically bad anyway but we do have that), freedom of speech, free press, yadda yadda Most middle-eastern countries do not have this either... > but Myanmar is still richer than us. but I am willing to bet they are richer than both Nepal and Myanmar. It seems what Myanmar has over Nepal is natural resources, (just like the middle eastern countries). This is nothing to be proud of.
- nayaketo 6y ago
  We are blessed in other ways too. We have a huge hydroelectricity potential that we haven't tapped fully. The problem is that people are insanely xenophobic and foreign investment is derided as "selling out to foreigners" here. Existing rules make it a nightmare for prospective foreign investors. There's not much capital inside to invest on our own natural resources.
treis 6y ago
Autocracy followed by a Maoist revolution isn't a path to success either.
- nayaketo 6y ago
  Don't know what you're getting at. There's no autocracy in Nepal (at least not yet). The Maoists won a free and fair election (Socialism is just that popular here). At most the country is super-duper and insanely socialistic, with government owning multiple large monopolies. Unless you call yourself a "socialist" you won't be winning any elections here. Unfortunately there is no pro-business/capitalistic political party in Nepal and that is what I sincerely believe is lacking here.
  - koheripbal 6y ago
    The civil war only 15 years ago between the Monarchy and the Socialists. China has a heavy influence in Nepal, and the tourist trade gives everyone a bad taste for Western anything.
chunsj 6y ago
Freedom alone is not democracy; that's just liberalism. Social justice, economic equality and others including political power control from people are important part of democracy.
- nayaketo 6y ago
  We'll never achieve democracy if you keep on redefining it now will we?
- nayaketo 6y ago
  BTW, turnover for elections in Nepal is really high. Always upwards of 70%. If that isn't democracy, then I don't know what is.
- koheripbal 6y ago
  "Social justice" is such an ambiguous term that too often is associated with intolerance and online hate. I would agree with your statement otherwise.
koheripbal 6y ago
Nepal's current economic state is a product of the civil war that only ended 15 years ago. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepalese_Civil_War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepalese_Civil_War

rational_indian 6y ago

> We have democracy, social policies (even universal healthcare, which is comically bad anyway but we do have that), freedom of speech, free press, yadda yadda Most middle-eastern countries do not have this either... > but Myanmar is still richer than us. but I am willing to bet they are richer than both Nepal and Myanmar. It seems what Myanmar has over Nepal is natural resources, (just like the middle eastern countries). This is nothing to be proud of.

nayaketo 6y ago
We are blessed in other ways too. We have a huge hydroelectricity potential that we haven't tapped fully. The problem is that people are insanely xenophobic and foreign investment is derided as "selling out to foreigners" here. Existing rules make it a nightmare for prospective foreign investors. There's not much capital inside to invest on our own natural resources.

treis 6y ago

Autocracy followed by a Maoist revolution isn't a path to success either.

nayaketo 6y ago
Don't know what you're getting at. There's no autocracy in Nepal (at least not yet). The Maoists won a free and fair election (Socialism is just that popular here). At most the country is super-duper and insanely socialistic, with government owning multiple large monopolies. Unless you call yourself a "socialist" you won't be winning any elections here. Unfortunately there is no pro-business/capitalistic political party in Nepal and that is what I sincerely believe is lacking here.
- koheripbal 6y ago
  The civil war only 15 years ago between the Monarchy and the Socialists. China has a heavy influence in Nepal, and the tourist trade gives everyone a bad taste for Western anything.

chunsj 6y ago

Freedom alone is not democracy; that's just liberalism. Social justice, economic equality and others including political power control from people are important part of democracy.

nayaketo 6y ago
We'll never achieve democracy if you keep on redefining it now will we?
nayaketo 6y ago
BTW, turnover for elections in Nepal is really high. Always upwards of 70%. If that isn't democracy, then I don't know what is.
koheripbal 6y ago
"Social justice" is such an ambiguous term that too often is associated with intolerance and online hate. I would agree with your statement otherwise.

koheripbal 6y ago

Nepal's current economic state is a product of the civil war that only ended 15 years ago. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepalese_Civil_War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepalese_Civil_War