Why Honest Nepalis Are Leaving: The Impact of Corruption

It was common in the time of kings to offer favors to their close friends. The tight circle would then offer favors to those below them. The hierarchy was set; power came from the top and trickled slowly downward. Well, the king is no more. But the authority figures who have power are still ever-present in today's democracy. Those who have power now exercise similar misuse toward those who have none. The only difference is that there is no central authority exerting immense power; instead, power is divided among politicians, judges, bureaucrats, and business folks. This is not to say that everyone misuses their power, but I am certain that if you are from Nepal, you know how far knowing someone can take you (source/force).

Growing up in Kathmandu, I have always been aware of the fact that my family and I belonged to the have-not section of this divide. Anytime we needed to get something done, we had to either bribe someone or cozy up to people just to get their duties fulfilled. This is the case in most offices around Nepal. According to Transparency International, Nepal ranks 108th out of 180 corrupt countries around the globe. I am surprised that we didn't rank lower.

To friends who live in western democracies, bureaucracy is still a problem, but what they may not have to deal with is corruption at such a basic level. If you have enough people in your pockets, you can get away with anything in Nepal, as the countless political appointments of convicted felons to positions of power can testify. If, instead of people, you have deep pockets of cash, you can run scot-free from crimes that would implicate the poorest of the nation in a heartbeat. So, I ask you, why wouldn’t someone who considers themselves honest and hardworking want to leave such horrid conditions? The corrupt bureaucratic system of Nepal undoubtedly contributes to hundreds of millions of people migrating to foreign nations.

"The Trial" by Franz Kafka also deals with such a story, where bureaucracy comes down hard upon an individual who is stuck in a demented society.