The participation of immediate family members of the political leaders, including their offspring, in illicit activities raises questions about the leaders' ethical values. It is evident that many leaders are involving their children in these unlawful actions
Renowned American biologist and sociologist Edward Osborne Wilson, in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book 'On Human Nature' published in 1978, meticulously explores the human nature and society from a sociobiological perspective.
Within this seminal work, Wilson delves into nine distinct chapters, with one particular chapter dedicated to elucidating the theory of Kin Selection as it pertains to altruism.
Altruism is defined as a form of human behaviour where individuals consistently display selfless acts of kindness and support, primarily directed towards their kin, and often driven by a deep-seated desire for the overall well-being and progress of their offspring.
This theory of Kin Selection is widely regarded as having played a pivotal role in advancing the Darwinian revolution, as it seamlessly integrated biological concepts into the realms of social sciences and humanities.
Altruistic behaviour is a pervasive phenomenon that is copiously observed in our society. An exemplary manifestation of altruism is evident in the unwa-vering support parents provide to their children as they embark on careers within various domains, such as teaching, farming, business, government service, security, politics and the like. This selfless dedication of parents to nurturing the aspirations of their offspring underscores the altruistic nature of human society.
A stark example of the altruism complexity can be correlated in recent history within the context of the Maoist party's high-ranking members during the decade-long armed conflict.
While the Maoist movement fervently encouraged the general public to join their cause in the resistance against the state security forces, reports surfaced of coercive tactics, including the forcible abduction of schoolchildren into their ranks. Conversely, a striking behaviour of altruism of the high-level leaders can be easily identified after scrutinising the status of their children during that time.
Many of their children found themselves ensconced in the comforts of prestigious Indian schools, shielded from the harsh realities of the war. Others were expediently married off to distance them fromthe conflict, while some remained under the protective wing of their parents within the secure confines of the so-called people's army. Notably, the kin of some of the leaders directly participated in the Maoist movement and some even lost their lives.
Following the peace talks, a disheartening trend emerged where the significant contributions made bya substantial portion of the Maoist warriors were overshadowed.
Instead, it was the close relatives of the leaders who ascended to key executive and political positions of benefit. To compound matters, the qualifications required for certain executive roles were attuned down to accommodate the leaders' offspring.
This phenomenon becomes evident when examining the secretariats ofnumerous ministers, members of parliament, and other political appointees, which are often stacked with their family members – a poignant illustration of Wilson's Altruism Theory.
As discussed above, the Altruism Theory is widely acknowledged and accepted within the society. Nevertheless, recent developments in Nepal suggest that the interpretation of thistheory appears to be partially in conflict with the prevailing scenario in the country. Specifically, the involvement of the offspring and close relatives of political leaders in recently-exposed instances of state-sponsored corruption and illicit activities raises serious concerns.
These incidents, including the fake Bhutanese refugee scam, the Lalita Niwas land acquisition scandal,and the recurring cases of gold smuggling through the airport, reveal a glaring contradiction to the altruistic principles typically associated with this theory. Instead of selflessly promoting the well-being of their kin and the broader society, the engagement of political leaders and their relatives in these illicit activities reflects a starkly selfish and anti-altruistic attitude.
Initially, the government's proactive stance in investigating these cases garnered widespread praise. However, as evidence emerged implicating political leaders and their relatives in these cases, there was a noticeable shift in the government's approach towards the investigative procedures. It has become an open secret that the investigative authorities were subjected to government influence, resulting in the omission of the leaders' involvement in illicit activities from the charge sheet. This simply perpetuates the practice of acquitting political leaders without a free and fair trial by the investigative authorities.
However, the stark contrast between the modest lifestyles they led in the past, some 10 to 15 years back, and the opulent ones they enjoy today speaks volumes of the truth.
The evidence revealing the participation of immediate family members of the political leaders, including their offspring, in illicit activities raises questions about the leaders' ethical values. Rather than instilling moral principles, it is evident that many leaders are involving their children in these unlawful actions.
This blatant nepotism within state-sponsored corruption stands in stark contrast to the widely accepted Wilson's Theory of Altruism. Therefore, it is imperative to reconsider and amend the theory in light of the attitudes exhibited by Nepali politicians.
The involvement of politician and their offspring in unlawful activities in Nepal accentuate the complexity of human behaviour and the multifaceted nature of altruism. This highlights that even in the presence of a widely accepted theory, individual actions can deviate significantly from its principles revealing the intricate dynamics at play within society.
Dr Joshi is a senior scientist and independent opinion maker based in Germany Pushpa.joshi@ gmail.com
A version of this article appears in the print on September 21, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
