Nepal, March 5 -- Ever since the Maoists joined mainstream politics, two Nepali phrases, namely, naya satta and satta kabja are in vogue. Basically, the implied meaning of the phrases is to have a new regime (naya satta) replaced by capturing an old state (satta kabja). However, it is doubtful the Maoists have a full grasp of the meaning and depth of the concept of state capture with their preoccupation with capturing the army. Who knows, with the passage of time, they might have shifted their attention?

There are various forms of state capture. There could be deep or shallow state capture, occasional or entrenched state capture or the capture of policy implementation and policy making. Mark Philp from Oxford University quoting the World...