A word rarely heard in politics, but its impact is profound in governing farce around the world. That is 'kakistocracy'. The word is a combination of two Greek words 'kakista' (worst or unfit) and 'kratos' (power or rule), meaning the most unfit, corrupt, insensitive or selfish people to rule a country.

"Kakistocracy" is not a system of government written in any constitution, but when the political leadership in a country is corrupt, irresponsible, incompetent and immoral, then it can be called "Kakistocracy" and the world-famous magazine "The Economist" chose the year 2024 as the word of the year. 

According to the 'Economist', leadership incompetence is a complete lack of experience or competence in policy making, administrative decisions or diplomatic behavior, misuse of public assets for private interests for corruption, complete lack of accountability, i.e. a tendency to place oneself above the law, devaluing democratic institutions, trying to control the judiciary, the election commission, the media, and the arrogant style of being in power and not showing sensitivity to the voice of the people. Listening to this is not like giving a lecture about our own rulers? 

'kakistocracy', which is based on the democratization of society, the introduction of market relations in the economy, the rule of law and the looting of the state and people's wealth under the guise of prioritizing human rights and fundamental freedoms. It explodes as a combination between political leaders and criminal 'oligarch' structures.

Seizing power through unfair and fraudulent elections, increasing polarization of society, impoverishment of a large part of the population and prosperity of a handful of neo-riches, sale of financial and other assets based on the interests of elites, flourishing corruption and lawlessness, doesn't it seem like everything is said for Nepal except election fraud? 

It can also be called 'megalomaniac' politics. After all, the hoops prime ministers have to jump through are the institutions studied in political science. Where pressure groups include community activism, local government experience, party work, pre-selected contact networks, electoral processes, getting a media profile, knowing the enemy, getting office by flattering the prime minister (if liberal-right) or factional mates (if labour-left), dealing with interlopers and those who want to push you into office, and dealing with bureaucratic and state counterparts so well that your name is established as a future leader. Do it or even mention it.

The current government behavior is being demonstrated with reference to this vocal topic. Perhaps, as Uncle Mungo said in his famous political novel, 'the worst thing in politics can be summed up in one word, voters.' McCallum's latest and perhaps most important political handbook, 'How to Spot a Megalomaniac', should be the bitter advice to a young voter. 

Of course, 'rule by the worst' (kakistocracy) may not always mean that political leaders or representatives of oligarchic circles are bad and evil. Very knowledgeable, well-educated, polite people can also be found among them. Many of whom may have considered serving their country their highest purpose. But whatever and however they do it turns into their profit and is against the national interest.

Thus, the essence of power and the nature of state-power seems to be an unchanging principle. Such a trend does not arise from the interests of a large section of the general public (voters). But from the narrow circular circle of limited individuals manifests in new incarnations. Breaking such a vicious cycle may require long-term extraordinary and non-standard measures. Such a situation could be worse than childbirth for the future of the country. The Thimaha governance style that emerged from the contemporary so-called democratic process around the world is giving a similar experience. 

historical example 

The infamous example of the 20th-century Nazi regime, where competent and honest officials were replaced by fanatics, brutalists, and loyalists, is often cited. Recent recent history is reminiscent of the fact that during military rule in some South American countries, corrupt generals prioritized their own safety over the people, extending to Gyanendra Shah of Nepal.

In contemporary world politics, some so-called democratic leaders are running the government by using the popularity of social media, radical nationalism or conspiracy politics as a weapon, and dusting off competence or responsibility. It is not difficult to see its estuary in a beautiful way now extending from America to Nepal. Conspiracy theories and commentary on nationalism and protection of religion and culture are deadly weapons for corrupt governance and style. 

In a democratic country like Nepal, looking at it through the lens of the world, 'kakistocracy' is seen with joy. Nepali 'kakistocracy' has been expressed with humor by the fact that the government has more power, access or political behavior without integrity, people with no technical ability lead ministries, do not hesitate to do anything to suppress corruption investigations, make inefficient and fatal decisions in areas such as education, health, infrastructure, and openly attack public property and people's taxes for the government's nefarious interests. Vidya Bhattarai's resignation from the post of minister can be a lesson if you want to read it.

'Kakistocracy' is not an invisible force. It is the result of the collective neglect, fear or selfishness of all of us. What is needed to change such a system is an informed citizenry, a culture of institutional transparency and accountability. Otherwise, the continuation of the incompetent in power will destroy our future.

KP Sharma Oli is running for his fourth term. Sher Bahadur Deuba is preparing for the sixth term. Prachanda became Prime Minister three times. What is their special qualification? Millions of leaders-activists of that party could not become more than just loyal slaves. Isn't it a historical irony that even Gyanendra Shah, who was involved in Rachyaan, staged an incident that led to the death of two citizens in the capital for the sake of power? 

'Kakistocracy' (rule by incompetent and corrupt leadership) is also deeply embedded in the political structure of our country. This is why incompetent, corrupt and unprincipled people have always got the opportunity to lead the country. Each of them is as bright as the sun, having created a legacy of competition that has done extensive damage to democratic institutions. The appointment of the country's main economic regulatory body, the culmination of the bargain, is not enough the extent of shame seen in the appointment of the governor of the National Bank? 

In federal democratic and inclusive republican parliamentary systems, the breeding ground for 'kakistocracy' is a polarized political system and a passive and fatalistic electorate. Raithane politicians have succeeded in perpetuating their incompetent and corrupt leadership by 'othering' the opposition and ignoring the needs of the people. The leaders have given preference to personal interests and have undermined the social, economic and political spheres.

It can be seen in the recent fresh example of flood of ordinances as they consider buying and selling of parliamentarians easier than debates and lengthy processes in parliament. It is a vivid use of Nepali 'kakistocracy' that Deuba, who has been experienced for half a dozen times, and Oli, who is following him, is happy to depose the executive head of the Electricity Authority, who is running out of time and is generally considered to be a coward, and appoint a family member. 

Now let's talk about 'Kleptocracy'. Such trends take corruption to a whole new level. Kleptocracy is different from plutocracy (rule by the richest) and oligarchy (rule by a small elite). In a 'kleptocracy', corrupt politicians enrich themselves secretly outside the rule of law, through commissions, bribes and special favors from lobbyists and corporations, or they simply direct state funds to themselves and their cronies.

Also, 'kleptocrats' often export most of their profits to foreign countries for fear of losing power (Acemoglu and Robinson: 2004). Like grand corruption, 'kleptocracy' exploits the state through bribery, coercion and policy manipulation through tightly integrated networks of elites in political, commercial, cultural, social and criminal institutions. In 'Kleptocracy' such large-scale corruption is not an exception but the integrated purpose and main function of the state. Now it has a beautiful use. 

'Kleptocracy' is a system of massive corruption, self-reinforcing due to deep-rooted networks. Rather than creating complex and highly profitable corruption schemes, it is an advanced form of 'kleptocracy' to transform institutions to maintain a continuous flow of large-scale corruption through such networks for years or decades. As we have, the department of various ministries is sometimes under the Prime Minister, sometimes it is clearly seen in the case of the division of such institutions.

It is natural that a country like Nepal is constantly moving towards turmoil after the high-ranking officials collected billions of money from big corruption schemes. On the surface, such systematic tax evasion, policy manipulation, and corruption ring may not have much effect on the average citizen. In a 'kleptocracy' the distortions are so great that average citizens cannot see the effect on their own lives. But they are being harassed daily by such culture. Now Nepal is deeply moving in this direction. 

In 'Kleptocracy' such massive corruption is not an exception but is run as an integrated mainstay of the state. Such scandals are fast, widespread, and on such a large scale that many citizens may not even bother to react. This should be the scenario, perhaps Congress General Minister and member of the current Supernatural Alliance Government Management Mechanism Gagan Thapa gave public rhetoric saying that middlemen have reached the Prime Minister's bedroom. 

Financial and administrative elites—commonly known as 'oligarchs' in Europe. It is they who enter the political arena as key players who play an important role in 'Kleptocracy'. The word 'Oligarchy' comes from the ancient Greek oligoi (few) and arcane (to rule) and was defined by Aristotle as 'when the people of wealth hold the government in their own hands'. To be an oligarchy in Aristotle's understanding is a series of undertakings by wealthy individuals influencing the government so that they can accumulate the wealth and power of the country for the exploitation of the majority of the people. Isn't

part of a similar undertaking that was demonstrated last time in the Pathibhara Kevalkar scandal? "Various forms of thievery-based regimes, which encourage a culture of systematic fraud, can be interpreted as 'political and corporate kleptomania.' In such a jamaat, not only high government officials are there for looting and exploitation, but also enriches a narrow rich class (plutocrats).

These are often wealthy individuals and families who have amassed vast wealth through political nepotism, special interest laws, monopolies, special tax breaks, government intervention, subsidies or outright corruption. An economic system based on this type of political gain is sometimes called crony capitalism. Now our country has become a laboratory of this style.

How 'kleptocracy' (robbery) and 'kakistocracy' (rule by the incompetent) have twinned with each other and become the dominant style of governance in our country, has been demonstrated by the leaders of the two major parties with no choice.

On top of that, it is not unusual for modern globalization and technology to further expand the results of this type of governance. It can be seen that recent developments have brought to the surface that even countries with a strong democratic tradition like America are not immune to "kakistocratic" tendencies. 

A famous French philosopher and writer, Henri de Mantherlant (1895-1972), expressed the idea in a diary of 1930 that exposes the monthly expression of 'Kleptocracy and Kakistocracy'. Stupidity is not the absence of ideas. Such stupidity would be the sweet, blissful stupidity of animals and molluscs.

Human stupidity is centered around having too many ideas. Stupid ideas, accompanied by flags, chants, loudspeakers and even tanks and flame-throwers as instruments of persuasion. They constitute the refined and only truly terrible form of stupidity. It is precisely by remembering how beautifully this style is fared in our contemporary cyclic prime ministerial players and the rulers of neighboring countries that today's discriminatory and misogynistic world can be easily understood.