Fatalism and Development: Nepal's Struggle For Modernization

By Dor Bahadur Bista

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0863112455
• ISBN13: 9780863112454
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Orient Longman
• Length: 199 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.

Customer Reviews

still a classic about the psychology of Nepal

I bought the paperback version of this book in Kathmandu at EKTA bookstore, which specializes in cheap reprints of books from the west, though this is a homegrown effort. It was written in the 1980's and published in 1990, before the civil war and before so many other things. The author's premise is that there are sociological factors in the upbringing and outlook of people in nepal which pre-conditiona certain attitude toward what they wil get form life, and what the purpose of society may be. he calls it "Fatalism" and it is a major part of the problem. He then amplifies the thesis by giving examples form daily life about how it works in Nepali society. Now, the author says some things out loud which are difficult to say, but IMHO are true. For example, that education is a goal in itself, and that a more-educated person will not produce more work, but less. He describes the political patronage system, and the unwillingness to make a decision by those in government. In short, a fascinating read for those seeking a way to elevate this country.