In recent times, Asia has witnessed the dramatic downfall of a number of authoritarian leaders, every leaving a profound impression on their respective nations. This paper delves into the intricate particulars of those political upheavals, specializing in the Shah dynasty in Nepal, Rodrigo Duterte within the Philippines, Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh, the Rajapaksa household in Sri Lanka, and Imran Khan in Pakistan. By analyzing the historic contexts, political dynamics, and public sentiments that led to those leaders’ downfalls, I purpose to offer a brief evaluation of the shifting political panorama in Asia. This exploration not solely highlights the causes and penalties of those dramatic adjustments but in addition presents insights into the longer term trajectories of those nations.
The downfall of King Birendra of Nepal is a fancy and multifaceted historic occasion that unfolded over a number of many years, marked by political instability, civil battle, and important social change. The monarchy, which had been a central establishment in Nepal for hundreds of years, started to face severe challenges within the late twentieth century. The rise of the Maoist insurgency within the Nineteen Nineties was a vital issue. The Maoists, advocating for the rights of the agricultural poor and in search of to overthrow the monarchy, engaged in a violent battle with the state, which escalated right into a full-blown civil struggle (Karan & Rose, 2025). The scenario was additional exacerbated by the tragic royal bloodbath in 2001, the place King Birendra and a lot of the royal household had been killed by Crown Prince Dipendra, who then died from self-inflicted wounds (Karan & Rose, 2025). This occasion plunged the nation into deeper turmoil and led to King Gyanendra, Birendra’s brother, ascending the throne. Gyanendra’s makes an attempt to consolidate energy and impose direct rule in 2005 solely intensified public discontent and opposition from political events and civil society (Karan & Rose, 2025).
Amidst rising unrest, the Maoists and main political events shaped an alliance, resulting in mass protests and a nationwide motion towards the monarchy. In 2006, these efforts culminated within the signing of the Complete Peace Settlement, which ended the civil struggle and paved the best way for the abolition of the monarchy (Thapa, 2025). In 2008, Nepal was formally declared a federal democratic republic, ending over two centuries of monarchical rule (Kattel, 2024). The downfall of the monarchy in Nepal was not only a political shift but in addition a profound transformation within the nation’s social and cultural panorama. It marked the tip of an period and the start of a brand new chapter in Nepal’s historical past, characterised by democratic aspirations and the wrestle for a extra inclusive and equitable society.
The prospect of the royal household re-entering Nepal’s political panorama has develop into a subject of serious debate and curiosity. Because the monarchy was abolished in 2008, Nepal has skilled appreciable political instability and public dissatisfaction with the present republican system. This discontent has fueled a resurgence of pro-monarchy sentiment amongst sure segments of the inhabitants. Current occasions, reminiscent of large-scale protests and rallies organized by the Rastriya Prajatantra Social gathering (RPP), have highlighted the rising help for the return of the monarchy. Former King Gyanendra Shah has additionally hinted at a extra lively function in politics, additional energizing his supporters (Karan & Rose, 2025; Thapa, 2025).
The motion for the monarchy’s return is pushed by a mixture of nostalgia for the previous and frustration with the current. Many supporters imagine that reinstating the monarchy may convey stability and unity to the nation, which they really feel has been missing below the republican authorities. Nevertheless, this push for a royal comeback isn’t with out controversy. The violent clashes between pro-monarchy protesters and the police, leading to fatalities and accidents, have raised considerations in regards to the potential for elevated political unrest (Menon, 2025; Shekhawat, 2025).
Whereas the previous king’s supporters are vocal and arranged, the broader political panorama in Nepal stays advanced. The republican authorities and its supporters are doubtless to withstand any makes an attempt to revive the monarchy, viewing it as a step backward. Moreover, the worldwide neighborhood, which supported Nepal’s transition to a republic, might also have reservations a few return to monarchical rule. As the talk continues, the way forward for Nepal’s political system stays unsure, with the potential for the royal household’s re-entry into politics being a contentious and polarizing problem (Karan & Rose, 2025; Shekhawat, 2025).
Rodrigo Duterte, the previous President of the Philippines, skilled a major fall from energy primarily on account of his controversial anti-drug marketing campaign. His presidency, which started in 2016, was marked by a brutal struggle on medication that led to hundreds of deaths. Official figures report over 6,200 fatalities in police operations, however human rights organizations estimate the quantity to be a lot greater, with many deaths linked to extrajudicial executions (Human Rights Watch, 2025; Council on Overseas Relations, 2016).
Regardless of sustaining sturdy home approval rankings for a lot of his time period, Duterte confronted growing worldwide condemnation. The Worldwide Prison Court docket (ICC) launched an investigation into his administration’s actions, citing attainable crimes towards humanity. In 2019, Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC, however the court docket retained jurisdiction over crimes dedicated earlier than the withdrawal (Worldwide Prison Court docket, 2025). Duterte’s downfall accelerated when he was arrested in March 2025 upon returning to the Philippines from Hong Kong. The ICC had issued a warrant for his arrest, resulting in his detention at Ninoy Aquino Worldwide Airport (Worldwide Prison Court docket, 2025). This arrest marked a major second in his political profession, highlighting the collision of justice, energy, and political affect (Human Rights Watch, 2025).
Rodrigo Duterte’s future in Philippine politics stays a topic of intense hypothesis and debate. Regardless of stepping down from the presidency in 2022, Duterte’s affect continues to loom giant over the political panorama. His daughter, Sara Duterte, at present serves because the Vice President, though her latest impeachment and the next authorized battles have forged a shadow over the Duterte political dynasty (Human Rights Watch, 2025). The rift between the Duterte and Marcos households, as soon as allies, has additional difficult the political state of affairs. This feud has polarized the citizens and overshadowed substantial coverage debates (Straits Instances, 2025).
Rodrigo Duterte himself faces important authorized challenges, together with costs on the Worldwide Prison Court docket (ICC) associated to his controversial struggle on medication (Worldwide Prison Court docket, 2025). These authorized points may doubtlessly restrict his skill to play an lively function in politics. Nevertheless, his enduring recognition amongst a considerable phase of the inhabitants means that he may nonetheless wield appreciable affect, both straight or by way of his political allies (Human Rights Watch, 2025). The upcoming midterm elections are essential, as they’ll decide the steadiness of energy within the Senate and will considerably impression the Duterte household’s political fortunes (Human Rights Watch, 2025). If the pro-Duterte candidates carry out properly, it may bolster their place and supply a platform for a political comeback. Conversely, a poor displaying may additional weaken their affect and open the door for different political forces to realize floor (Council on Overseas Relations, 2016; Straits Instances, 2025).
The downfall of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh politics marks a major turning level within the nation’s political panorama. After serving as Prime Minister for an unprecedented fourth consecutive time period, Hasina’s tenure got here to an abrupt finish in August 2024 amid widespread protests and civil unrest (Financial Instances, 2024; Asia Society, 2024). The protests, initially sparked by dissatisfaction with the job quota system and excessive youth unemployment, rapidly escalated right into a broader motion towards Hasina’s more and more authoritarian rule (Asia Society, 2024). Her administration confronted accusations of election rigging, corruption, and human rights abuses, which eroded public belief and fueled the opposition (Human Rights Analysis Middle, 2025).
The scenario reached a vital level when student-led protests, paying homage to historic agitations in Bangladesh, gained momentum. Hasina’s response to those protests, which included a harsh police crackdown and violent clashes, solely intensified the general public’s anger (Asia Society, 2024). The unrest culminated within the intervention of the army, which compelled Hasina to step down and led to the institution of an interim authorities headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus (Financial Instances, 2024). Hasina’s departure from energy was not only a results of instant occasions but in addition the end result of years of rising discontent along with her administration’s insurance policies and governance type. Regardless of her contributions to Bangladesh’s financial progress, her tenure was marred by allegations of democratic backsliding and suppression of dissent (Human Rights Analysis Middle, 2025). As she sought asylum overseas, the political way forward for Bangladesh entered a brand new section, with the interim authorities tasked with stabilizing the nation and addressing the deep-seated points that led to Hasina’s downfall (Asia Society, 2024).
Sheikh Hasina’s future in Bangladeshi politics is a subject of appreciable hypothesis following her ousting in August 2024. Regardless of her departure, Hasina’s affect is prone to persist on account of her lengthy tenure and the political legacy she has constructed over time. Her exile to India has not totally diminished her presence, as her supporters inside the Awami League proceed to advocate for her insurance policies and management (Asia Society, 2024; Financial Instances, 2024). The interim authorities, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, faces the problem of stabilizing the nation and addressing the deep-seated points that led to her downfall (Financial Instances, 2024).
Hasina’s potential return to politics hinges on a number of components, together with the political local weather in Bangladesh and her skill to navigate the authorized and political obstacles she faces. The interim authorities’s success in restoring public belief and implementing reforms can even play an important function in figuring out her future (Financial Instances, 2024). If the interim administration fails to ship on its guarantees, there may very well be a resurgence of help for Hasina, significantly amongst those that view her as a stabilizing drive regardless of her controversial tenure (Asia Society, 2024). Furthermore, Hasina’s political acumen and expertise can’t be underestimated. She has demonstrated resilience up to now, overcoming important challenges to keep up her place. Whether or not she will be able to leverage this expertise to stage a political comeback stays to be seen, however her enduring affect means that she is going to proceed to be a major determine in Bangladeshi politics (Asia Society, 2024; Financial Instances, 2024).
The collapse of the Rajapaksafamily in Sri Lankan politics marks a dramatic finish to a dynasty that dominated the nation’s political panorama for almost 20 years. The household’s downfall started in earnest in 2022, amid a extreme financial disaster that led to widespread public discontent and big protests (BBC, 2024; Anwar, 2022). President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who had been in energy since 2019, confronted intense criticism for his dealing with of the financial system, which was suffering from hovering inflation, crippling debt, and shortages of important items (Rising & Pathi, 2022). The scenario deteriorated to the purpose the place protesters stormed the presidential residence, forcing Gotabaya to flee the nation and resign (BBC, 2024).
The Rajapaksa household’s rise to energy began with Mahinda Rajapaksa, who turned president in 2005 and was celebrated for ending the decades-long civil struggle towards the Tamil Tigers in 2009 (Britannica, 2025). This victory, nonetheless, got here at a excessive value, each financially and when it comes to human rights abuses (Anwar, 2022). Through the years, the Rajapaksas consolidated energy, with a number of relations holding key authorities positions, making a notion of nepotism and corruption (Rising & Pathi, 2022).
The financial mismanagement below Gotabaya’s administration, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, led to a extreme monetary disaster that the federal government couldn’t mitigate (BBC, 2024; Anwar, 2022). The general public’s frustration boiled over into protests that demanded not solely Gotabaya’s resignation but in addition an finish to the Rajapaksa household’s political dominance (BBC, 2024). The household’s lack of ability to deal with the financial woes and the next lack of public belief culminated of their dramatic fall from grace (France24, 2022; Anwar, 2022). Within the aftermath, Sri Lanka faces the daunting job of rebuilding its financial system and restoring political stability. The Rajapaksa household’s legacy, as soon as marked by army triumph and political dominance, is now overshadowed by financial collapse and public outrage (Britannica, 2025). The way forward for Sri Lankan politics will doubtless be formed by efforts to maneuver past the period of household rule and tackle the systemic points that led to this disaster (France24, 2022).
The way forward for the Rajapaksa household in Sri Lankan politics seems unsure and fraught with challenges. Following their dramatic exit from energy amid the 2022 financial disaster, the Rajapaksas have confronted important authorized and political obstacles (Britannica, 2025; France24, 2022; Anwar, 2022). The brand new administration below President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has prioritized accountability, resulting in quite a few indictments towards key relations for alleged financial mismanagement, corruption, and human rights abuses (Lanka Information Line, 2025). These authorized battles may severely restrict their skill to stage a political comeback.
Regardless of these challenges, the Rajapaksa household retains a base of help, significantly amongst segments of the inhabitants that also view them as nationwide heroes for ending the civil struggle in 2009 (Britannica, 2025; Anwar, 2022). This residual help may present a platform for a possible return, particularly if the present authorities fails to deal with the continued financial points successfully. Nevertheless, the political panorama has shifted considerably, with a rising demand for transparency and anti-corruption measures (Anwar, 2022). The Rajapaksas’ future methods could contain leveraging their remaining affect inside the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) get together and making an attempt to rebuild their political capital by way of grassroots mobilization (Rising & Pathi, 2022). Nevertheless, any try to re-enter politics will doubtless be met with sturdy resistance from each the general public and the present administration (Lanka Information Line, 2025; Rising & Pathi, 2022). The household’s skill to navigate these challenges and adapt to the brand new political atmosphere can be essential in figuring out their future function in Sri Lankan politics (Britannica, 2025; France24, 2022; Anwar, 2022).
The political trajectory of Thaksin Shinawatra represents one among Thailand’s most consequential and contentious political narratives of the early twenty first century. Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon who remodeled right into a populist prime minister, skilled a dramatic fall from energy that continues to reverberate by way of Thai politics right now. Thaksin’s rise to prominence started together with his landslide election victory in 2001, the place his Thai Rak Thai get together capitalized on populist insurance policies concentrating on rural voters who had been traditionally marginalized by Bangkok’s political elite (McCargo & Ukrist, 2005). His administration applied common healthcare, village microcredit schemes, and different packages that garnered immense recognition amongst Thailand’s rural majority (Baker & Pasuk, 2009). Nevertheless, these identical insurance policies alienated conventional energy facilities, together with the army, forms, and concrete center class.
The start of Thaksin’s downfall will be traced to mounting allegations of corruption, conflicts of curiosity, and abuse of energy. Significantly damaging was the tax-free sale of his household’s telecommunications firm, Shin Corp, to Singapore’s Temasek Holdings for US$1.9 billion in 2006, which sparked widespread public outrage (Hewison, 2010). This transaction crystallized perceptions of Thaksin as a pacesetter who leveraged political energy for private acquire. Rising opposition coalesced into the Individuals’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), whose yellow-shirted protesters demanded Thaksin’s resignation (Connors, 2008). The army, citing the necessity to resolve political impasse and corruption, staged a coup in September 2006 whereas Thaksin was overseas, successfully ending his premiership (Ferrara, 2015). Following the coup, Thaksin confronted judicial proceedings that resulted in a corruption conviction in absentia, resulting in his self-imposed exile (Montesano et al., 2012).
The potential return of Thaksin Shinawatra to Thai politics represents a fancy and evolving state of affairs that continues to form Thailand’s political panorama. After almost 20 years of exile following his ousting in a 2006 army coup, the potential for Thaksin’s reintegration into Thailand’s political sphere has remained a persistent query with important implications for the nation’s democratic improvement and stability. Thaksin’s enduring affect in Thai politics, regardless of his bodily absence, demonstrates what students have termed the “Thaksin regime” – a political motion that transcends his private presence (Hewison, 2017). His political legacy has continued by way of proxy events, most notably Pheu Thai, which has maintained substantial electoral help, significantly in Thailand’s north and northeast areas (Chachavalpongpun, 2018). This sustained recognition means that the ideological basis for his return stays intact amongst a good portion of the citizens.
The 2023 election and subsequent formation of a coalition authorities led by Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai get together marked a major shift in Thailand’s political dynamics (Kongkirati, 2023). This electoral consequence, coupled with Thaksin’s temporary return to Thailand in August 2023 earlier than being granted parole from his corruption sentence, has created unprecedented situations for his potential political rehabilitation (Montesano, 2023). Nevertheless, his return faces substantial institutional obstacles, together with authorized prohibitions on political participation by these with legal convictions and the continued affect of military-aligned factions in authorities (Ferrara, 2022).
Thailand’s constitutional framework, reshaped following the 2014 coup, presents structural obstacles to Thaksin’s full political reemergence (McCargo, 2019). The monarchy’s place in Thai politics provides one other layer of complexity to Thaksin’s potential return. Following King Bhumibol’s loss of life in 2016 and the ascension of King Vajiralongkorn, the monarchy-military relationship has developed in ways in which may both facilitate or hinder Thaksin’s reintegration into the political system (Chambers & Napisa, 2020; Prajak, 2022). Whereas the potential for Thaksin’s return to lively politics has elevated in recent times, it could doubtless require a fragile balancing of competing pursuits amongst Thailand’s political stakeholders. Any such return would want to navigate the enduring polarization that has characterised Thai politics since his preliminary rise to energy (Pavin, 2021). The trajectory of Thailand’s democratic improvement could in the end rely on whether or not these competing factions can forge a sustainable political settlement that accommodates each Thaksin’s motion and the standard facilities of energy.
Imran Khan’s latest lack of energy within the Pakistani authorities doesn’t resemble the downfall of Sheikh Hasina, Rajapaksa, and the King of Nepal from their political profession. His latest lack of energy within the authorities is expounded to a multifaceted problem rooted in financial mismanagement, political missteps, and authorized challenges. His tenure as Prime Minister, which started in 2018, was marked by bold guarantees of financial reform and anti-corruption measures. Nevertheless, his administration struggled to ship on these guarantees, going through hovering inflation, a devalued foreign money, and mounting exterior debt (Nation, 2025; Ahmed & Shoaib, 2023). The financial disaster was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the worldwide financial downturn, which additional strained Pakistan’s already fragile financial system (Benjamin, 2022).
Politically, Khan’s refusal to interact with opposition events and his confrontational type alienated potential allies and eroded his help base inside the parliament (Chaudhry, 2022; Dunya Information, 2025; Ahmed & Shoaib, 2023). This culminated in a no-confidence vote in April 2022, which he narrowly misplaced after key coalition companions withdrew their help (Diplomat, 2023; Benjamin, 2022). The Supreme Court docket’s intervention to revive the parliament and proceed with the no-confidence vote underscored the constitutional disaster and highlighted the judiciary’s function within the political turmoil (Onmanorama, 2022).
Moreover, Khan’s authorized troubles have compounded his political woes. He faces a number of corruption costs, which he claims are politically motivated (Unbiased, 2025). His incarceration since mid-2023 has additional diminished his skill to affect the political panorama straight (Sharma, 2025). Regardless of these challenges, Khan stays a polarizing determine, with a good portion of the inhabitants nonetheless supporting his imaginative and prescient for Pakistan (Unbiased, 2025; Gupta, 2025).
The way forward for Imran Khan in Pakistani politics stays a fancy and evolving state of affairs. Regardless of his present incarceration and the quite a few authorized challenges he faces, Khan’s affect continues to resonate strongly amongst his supporters (The Instances of India, 2025; Sharma, 2025). His get together, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has maintained a major presence within the political area, leveraging know-how and grassroots mobilization to maintain his imaginative and prescient alive (Younus, 2024). The latest petition filed by PTI for Khan’s launch, citing threats to his life amid escalating tensions with India, underscores the continued political maneuvering and the excessive stakes concerned (Unbiased, 2025).
Mr Khan’s skill to stay related in Pakistani politics will largely rely on the end result of his authorized battles and the general public’s response to the present authorities’s efficiency. The financial challenges going through Pakistan, together with excessive inflation and unemployment, have left many voters disillusioned with the ruling coalition (Tribune, 2022). This discontent may doubtlessly gasoline a resurgence of help for Khan, particularly if the federal government fails to deal with these points successfully (Tribune, 2022; Gupta, 2025). Furthermore, Khan’s narrative of being a sufferer of political persecution has gained traction amongst his followers, who view him as a logo of resistance towards the entrenched political and army institution (Sharma, 2025). His continued recognition, regardless of his imprisonment, means that he may nonetheless play a pivotal function in shaping Pakistan’s political future, both straight or by way of his get together’s affect (News18, 2025; Sharma, 2025).
From a battle idea perspective, these leaders’ downfalls will be seen as the results of inherent energy struggles and social inequalities inside their respective societies. Karl Marx’s concepts in regards to the inevitable battle between the ruling elite and the oppressed plenty are significantly related right here. In every case, widespread public dissatisfaction with financial mismanagement, corruption, and authoritarian practices led to mass protests and calls for for change (Nation, 2025; Onmanorama, 2022).
Functionalist idea gives one other angle, suggesting that these leaders’ downfalls had been a response to dysfunctions inside their political techniques. In keeping with functionalism, governments exist to keep up social order and meet collective wants. When leaders fail to meet these roles, social unrest and political upheaval develop into inevitable. The financial crises in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, coupled with the perceived erosion of democratic norms within the Philippines, created situations the place the present political buildings may now not operate successfully, resulting in the ousting of those leaders (Nation, 2025; Onmanorama, 2022).
Symbolic interactionism focuses on the function of particular person actions and perceptions in shaping political outcomes. The non-public management kinds of Hasina, the Rajapaksas, and Duterte, characterised by authoritarianism and a scarcity of responsiveness to public grievances, performed a major function of their downfalls. Their lack of ability to successfully talk and tackle the considerations of their residents led to a lack of legitimacy and help (Nation, 2025; Onmanorama, 2022).
Regardless of how we theorize them, the latest downfalls of those authoritarian figures underscore the risky nature of political energy in Asia. Every case research reveals a novel mix of financial mismanagement, corruption, human rights abuses, and public discontent that culminated in important political shifts. The transitions from autocratic rule to extra democratic governance fashions emphasize the vital significance of accountability, transparency, and the rule of legislation. As these nations navigate their post-authoritarian futures, the teachings realized from these downfalls can be essential in shaping extra steady and democratic societies. The continued political developments will proceed to affect the regional and international political panorama, underscoring the necessity for vigilant and responsive governance.
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