This news summary has been reviewed from a professional perspective. Future politics are expected to be populist, focusing on short-term plans and popular leadership rather than long-term strategies. Generation Z, shaped by the internet and social media, has clearly rejected traditional political parties and their ideologies. Originating from technology, migration, and ‘unfulfilled aspirations,’ this generation’s conscious agency remains unrecognized by the state, increasing the possibility of uncontrollable street protests. This comprehensive analysis of the Generation Z movement’s global context and its relevance to Nepal has been divided into three parts for readers, authored by sociologist Chaitanya Mishra.
Professor Mishra belongs to the first generation of scholars formally teaching sociology in Nepal. His books include titles such as Capitalism and Nepal, Changing Nepali Society, Essays on the Sociology of Nepal, and Democracy and Contemporary Marxism. Mishra offers an academic analysis of societal transformation, emphasizing the protests driven by youth’s use of technology and their varied consequences. The main objective of this article is to explore the rise of Generation Z (Gen Z) in Nepal, its global influence, and the impact on the national political system.
The argument is made that generations like Gen Z do not simply emerge from biological aging but are products of specific social, economic, political, and cultural periods and historical currents. These generations should not be viewed uniformly worldwide but need to be understood within their regional and national contexts. Despite global integration in production and trade, inequalities and divisions remain profound, thus local particularities must be respected. Rapid shifts in social-historical generations have affected traditional ideological and structural political parties.
Future political systems are likely to adopt short-term populist styles, wherein key leaders and citizens exhibit relative flexibility and shorter political tenure. In edge countries like Nepal, populist politics may be heavily influenced both internally and externally, especially in cyber frontiers. Three key provisions related to constitutional amendments are crucial for future political stability.
The Gen Z movement protests in Kathmandu on September 8 and 9, 2025, have become landmark events in the country’s collective memory. Initially, only a small number of people were expected to protest, voicing dissent against social media restrictions and corruption. Instead, the demonstrations escalated dramatically, with crowds reaching around 20,000. Violence erupted after police attempted to break barricades, causing significant damage. Protestors breached the parliamentary compound and set fires; police responded with gunfire, baton charges, tear gas, and rubber bullets from nighttime onward, resulting in multiple fatalities. On the second day, government offices and private homes were set ablaze, and numerous people were killed or injured by gunfire.
Tandav, the violent turmoil, ceased on September 9, and political repercussions soon followed. The House of Representatives was dissolved. The Prime Minister did not resign but assumed control over security forces, preventing fire brigades from suppressing the protests. A commission of inquiry into the events remains silent. Within six months, a new interim government organized elections, weakening established parties. A new political party led by Kathmandu’s esteemed mayor, Prabhu, secured a heavy majority and took power, though the nation’s political future remains uncertain.
Generation Z is not merely a biological cohort; it is a social-historical generation born from globalization, technology, and rapid migration. This generation’s emergence is not due to biological progression but stems from specific social transformations. While biological generations typically renew every 20–30 years, social-historical generations like Gen Z arise from context-driven shifts. Social environment and history define generations; rapid economic and political changes produce new generational identities. In remote, agriculture-based societies, generational differences are minimal, but in commercial and industrialized societies, social changes are accelerated. Even siblings may belong to different generations if their life opportunities and social environments differ.
Human life is not directed solely by biological processes but largely shaped by social context. Birth and death rates are influenced by technology and social factors. Notably, in Nepal, both fertility and infant mortality rates have declined significantly, primarily due to social progress and improved health services. Traditional political parties are increasingly ineffective amid rapidly changing societies. Humanity is undergoing swift transformation, with new generations emerging rapidly. The anticipated political framework favors short-term populism. This marks the conclusion of the first part of the article. The second part will be published tomorrow.
