Youth Outlook On Politics

The importance of caring about politics cannot be overstated. Politics shapes the life and destiny of people and the nation they inhabit, influencing the policymaking, resource allocation, and other things that matter. Politics empowers citizens by entitling them to have a say in what they want. Whether it's the hardships citizens are enduring or the economic boom they are basking in, politics has the power to determine the well-being of people.  The impacts of a major political decision may ripple through generations. 

Despite carrying such outsized significance, many citizens born in the era of the internet (1997-2012) seem to find politics uninspiring, according to a news story carried by this daily on Thursday. That's legitimate to some extent, but the underlying reason in most cases appears to be the lack of political education. There's no denying that factors such as protracted political instability, wrangling of political parties over petty issues, the same old faces running the country without letting fresh, young and energetic youth take over, the governance system that fails to deliver, among others, all work in tandem to create disillusionment among the people. The frustration is palpable not only among some sections of Generation Z, but also among those from Generation X (1965-1980) and others as well. 

That said, to say Gen Z is uninterested in politics is only partly true.  For one thing, every periodic Free Students' Union (FSU) election continues to see enthusiastic participation of students, the overwhelming majority of whom belong to Gen Z. For another, because many of them are so immersed in social media that they prefer living in a virtual world to the real world, making politics take a back seat to technology.   

Importantly, there is no reason for the youth to be disillusioned with politics. Rather, it's the most opportune time to join it for the sake of the future of the nation. Several youth leaders elected with overwhelmingly popular mandates have already held office in key positions or continue to do so, especially after the 2022 local-level elections. The remarkable rise of Balendra Shah as the mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is a case in point. It's no secret that the wave of youth votes played a decisive role in making this happen.  

The constitution is new. Federalism is maturing.  Hopes are abundant that old systems that came in the way of people's aspirations have been thrown away for good and replaced with the one that puts people at the centre. There's no reason to give up. They must engage more, not less, for we can avoid politics, but not the consequences of 

avoiding it. That's because the law-making and the major decisions taken by the parliament and the government that affect us all are enabled by politics. 

Participation of all citizens is the cornerstone of a democracy. And when one section of the population is left out of the political engagement, democracy fails to deliver. By actively participating in politics not only through voting but also by making one's voice heard, the youth need to stand up to steer the country towards the path envisaged by the constitution. This is more important than ever, as youth involvement in politics brings fresh perspectives, drives positive change, and increases voter turnout. Young people are generally more open to new ideas and can push for innovative solutions to societal problems. So, no matter how uninspiring it may seem to the youth, politics is too important to ignore.