| Username |
Post |
| ashu |
Posted
on 16-Nov-00 09:54 AM
Hi everyone,
Ramesh Sharma (a hard-core libertarian), Mahendra "Honda" Shakya
(a strong defender of free-market and an entrepreneur himself)
and I (interested in public policies that create jobs, jobs
and jobs) had had a greatly stimulating discussion the other
night at Martin Chautari.
Slightly different though our outlooks are from one another's,
with Ramesh being furthest on the Right, we all agreed on the following:
a) In Nepal, capitalism (= free markets) has a bad reputation.
Capitalism is constantly and dominantly under attack by both liberal-democrats (the Nepali Congress types), the socialists,
the Marxists and others.
As such, it is time for pro-market people to hit back with
clearer and more logical arguments in an attempt to create
a sharper, more sensible debate about economic policies
in public.
b) Nepali intellectuals always give an easy, facile and even apologetic defense of socialism and other such evils. It's
time to stop being polite to these "senior" intellectuals
and start tearing their arguments apart publicly.
c) Free-enterprise and entrepreneurship, the PROVEN life-blood
for the growth of an economy -- are not repected/tolerated
and accorded friendly policies in Nepal.
d) The government and society view businesses and entreprenurship with suspicion.
e) The legal system, based on ancient Hindu codes, is anti-business and pro-monopolies and cartels.
Of course, it does not help for the image of markets when our businessmen themselves greedily seek protection, special
treatment and give "ghoos" and all that . . . thereby NOT contributing to making the playing field for all parties.
Against this background of problems, what could be one
possible solution is this:
Create a loose and informal network of "pro-market" Nepalis
who will then PUBLICLY provide -- through FM radio interviews, newspaper writings, seminars -- counter-arguments to many
socialist/Marxist thoughts that pass as wisdom in Nepal.
Free market ideas are strong and good in and of themselves.
As such, once given an effective outlet, the ideas themselves
will attract a number of frustrated nepalis who are looking for alternatives to the muddled garbage of Nepal's socialists and communists -- both of whom are intent on making Nepalis in Nepal poorer and poorer.
oohi
ashu
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 16-Nov-00 06:14 PM
Interestingly enough,your arguments were similar to the one I
used to tout in Tandi among my local friends: that our national
capitalists are not 'enemy of state'.I don't claim high ground:
I borrowed those opinions from the editorial of Sarita,one
mediocre magazine published in Hindi from New Delhi,which I was
avid reader of ,in my highschool period.The editor was always
against Nehru and his socialist mantra, and his logics impressed
my impressionable mind.
But as I retrospect now, though I have not deflected from my
original position, (actually my stay in Shanghai reinforced my
conviction that capitalism is vital for robust economy/social
condition)I can see why Nepalese reject (This is not absolute
REJECTION, to preempt your likely counter-argument)capitalists.
Capitalists don't give roseate dream to the impecunious multitudes
that are so much mesmerized by the toffee of socialism/communism
since so long,& there is no formula in capitalists'theory to burn
down the castle of affluents,it will take long for people to
realize that capitalism(NOT NOT NOT crony capitalism) is the only
way out of existing pervasive poverty.
Just think this: Marwaris are rich, philanthopist ,tolerant and
creates job by making factories(other non-Marwari Nepalese with
equal money won't do that), but what is their image in Nepal?
Every Marwari is considered to be tainted in LC kaanda. Well,
I acknowledge that they keep their money in India, a lot of those
people buy politicians and use devious means, but I here intend to
pinpoint is at their enterpreneurship, and overall attitude of other
people towards them, and very frankly.
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| ashu |
Posted
on 16-Nov-00 09:17 PM
Biswo wrote:
>capitalism(NOT NOT NOT crony
>capitalism) is the only
>way out of existing pervasive poverty.
I agree.
I am for the overhaul of Nepal's legal system and make it
more friendly to individual rights and to the protection
of private property.
>Just think this: Marwaris are rich,
>philanthopist ,tolerant and
>creates job by making factories(other non-
>Marwari Nepalese with
>equal money won't do that), but what is
>their image in Nepal?
Nepalis are simply jealous of the Marwaris.
Blaming the Marwaris for this and that
is one way Nepalis divert attention from
their own incompetencies.
Just are there are bad Nepali businessmen,
I am sure, there are bad Marwari Nepali businessmen
too. But just as there being a few bad Nepali
businessmen does not mean that ALL Nepali businessmen
are khattam, there beng a few bad Marwari businessmen
does not mean that ALL Marwari businessmen are khattam.
My own informal look at the Marwari life-styles
reveals that: They are religious; they have a strong
sense of community around them; they are fiscally and
socially conservative; they spend less, save more and
invest their savings. All these are qualities (also
listed in an America-published books "Millionaires
Next Door") are helpful in making money in a quiet, yet consistent, way.
The business they are in are not terribly glamorous
(i.e. flour, rice, etc), but the profit margins are
considerable in those businesses.
Putting our stupid, vainful and gorkhay pride that's full of
raw nationalist emotions aside, Nepalis need to be shrewd
and LEARN from the Marwaris. After all the best of the
Marwari businessmen are surely among the best of the businesspeople.
oohi
ashu
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| Biswo |
Posted
on 16-Nov-00 09:55 PM
Ashu:
>I am for the overhaul of Nepal's legal
>system and make it
>more friendly to individual rights and to
>the protection
>of private property.
I guess the legal system is ,actually, better than what we see around,
in practice.I would like to get some info about any law that is
constraining individual rights, because I have never heard of
such laws. Is there any recent controversy about any such thing?
Basically, our problem is we make law(often), but we lack appartus
to implement them, as long as I understand.
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