16 August 2010
02 August 2009
Introduction of Democracy
Democracy in Pakistan is still flourishing under the shadow of dictatorship. It has an exchequer history. It has been proved a failure in Pakistan since an inadequate numbers its citizens is uneducated. Moreover, inefficient politicians and political parties which are the soul of democracy are also responsible for the failure of democratic form of government. The condition of democracy in Pakistan is very much similar to that of Indonesia and early period of Turkey. Democracy, in Indonesia, like Pakistan, is being observed under the rule of dictatorship. The dictators are playing the role of watch dog in democracies being practiced by the governments of Pakistan and Indonesia. In this essay we will for the utmost define the term democracy with the context of interpretation given by the famous political scientists. The types of democracy will than be elaborated. The advantages and disadvantages of democracy would also be discussed critically. An overview of democracy in Pakistan will also be given. The obstacles or impediments in the way of democracy will also be scrutinized with the context of socio – political scenario of Pakistan. At the end some suggestions will also be given as remedial measures for a sustainable democracy in Pakistan.
Democracy (Defination)
The term ‘democracy’ is derived from two Greek words namely ‘Demos’ and ‘Karatio’. ‘Demos’ means the people whereas the ‘Karatio’ stands for the power. Thus, democracy etymologically means the power of the people. According to Abraham Lincoln democracy means the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Aristotle defines democracy as the rule of mob. He also regards democracy as mobocracy. Herodotus, a famous political scientist, calls the democracy as the government by many. Over and above, Prof. Seeley defines democracy as a form of government in which every body has a particular share. After defining the term democracy we will go ahead with the types of democracy.
TYPES OF DEMOCRACY
According to the political scientists there are two types of democracy i.e. direct democracy and indirect democracy.
Direct democracy is a type of democracy in which people directly express their views and participate in the deliberative and administrative affairs of the state directly. The method of election for the Provincial assemblies in Pakistan is based upon the concept of direct democracy where the people use the ballet box directly.
Indirect democracy is a type of democracy in which people do not express their view directly. Rather their representatives on behalf of the people cast their votes. The method of election for the Senate in Pakistan, for instance, is based upon the concept of indirect democracy
Direct democracy is a type of democracy in which people directly express their views and participate in the deliberative and administrative affairs of the state directly. The method of election for the Provincial assemblies in Pakistan is based upon the concept of direct democracy where the people use the ballet box directly.
Indirect democracy is a type of democracy in which people do not express their view directly. Rather their representatives on behalf of the people cast their votes. The method of election for the Senate in Pakistan, for instance, is based upon the concept of indirect democracy
ADVANTAGES OF DEMOCRACY
The democratic form of government is the most popular form of government in the world. Its advantages can be discussed as under:
i. Importance of common man:- common man enjoy a prestigious position in democracy. Since the fate of rulers is decided by the common men, they have acquired an important position in democratic form of government.
ii. Security of country:- revolts and riots are major threats for the stability of the any government. Since the people themselves rule in democracy, the possibility of revolts and riots is very less in the democratic form of government. Moreover, the people irrespective of caste and religion become united for the defense of their country in democratic form of government.
iii. Efficient form of government: - Responsible form of governments, to political scientists, is considered as an efficient form of government. Since the rulers, in democracy, are responsible and are accountable to the people, it can be called as an efficient form of government.
iv. Based upon the concept of equality: - Unlike the Aristocracy which stands for the rule of only few people while the others are regarded as to be ruled, democracy believes in equality. It, on contrary, provides all rights and liberties to all citizens alike.
v. Attains progress with peace: - Monarchy and aristocracy also assure progress of country but they underestimate peace. Democracy, on the other hand, guarantees both – peace and progress of a country. It enables all the people to attain progress in different walks of life.
i. Importance of common man:- common man enjoy a prestigious position in democracy. Since the fate of rulers is decided by the common men, they have acquired an important position in democratic form of government.
ii. Security of country:- revolts and riots are major threats for the stability of the any government. Since the people themselves rule in democracy, the possibility of revolts and riots is very less in the democratic form of government. Moreover, the people irrespective of caste and religion become united for the defense of their country in democratic form of government.
iii. Efficient form of government: - Responsible form of governments, to political scientists, is considered as an efficient form of government. Since the rulers, in democracy, are responsible and are accountable to the people, it can be called as an efficient form of government.
iv. Based upon the concept of equality: - Unlike the Aristocracy which stands for the rule of only few people while the others are regarded as to be ruled, democracy believes in equality. It, on contrary, provides all rights and liberties to all citizens alike.
v. Attains progress with peace: - Monarchy and aristocracy also assure progress of country but they underestimate peace. Democracy, on the other hand, guarantees both – peace and progress of a country. It enables all the people to attain progress in different walks of life.
DISADVANTAGES OF DEMOCRACY
Democratic form of government in spite of having many advantages also contains some disadvantages. Its disadvantages can be explained as under with the context of socio – political conditions of our country:
i. Rule of ignorant and incompetent: - Plato criticizes the democracy as it stands for the rule of ignorant and incompetent persons. Aristotle, his disciple, calls it as perverted form of government. Pakistan where illiteracy rate is at peak, the survival of democracy in such circumstances is very low. Therefore, democracy, in Pakistan, means the rule of incompetent and ignorant, elected by illiterate.
ii. Quantity rather than quality: - Democracy, as explained by Allama Muhammad Iqbal, stands for the virtue of quantity rather than of quality. Since most of the legislatures in Pakistan are not qualified, the fate of bills and any legislative process is decided by them. Thus, they can not provide a suitable and sustainable constitution for the country.
iii. Expensive form of government: - Democracy assigns and creates more than enough ministries so that it can get the approval and satisfaction of the masses. The burden of ministries causes expensiveness which is not affordable for the governments like Pakistan.
iv. Majority rule: - Democracy, as defined earlier, means the rule of majority. Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on the same basis, criticized and condemned the democratic form of government since it was harmful for Indian Muslims who were in minority in Indo Pak subcontinent.
i. Rule of ignorant and incompetent: - Plato criticizes the democracy as it stands for the rule of ignorant and incompetent persons. Aristotle, his disciple, calls it as perverted form of government. Pakistan where illiteracy rate is at peak, the survival of democracy in such circumstances is very low. Therefore, democracy, in Pakistan, means the rule of incompetent and ignorant, elected by illiterate.
ii. Quantity rather than quality: - Democracy, as explained by Allama Muhammad Iqbal, stands for the virtue of quantity rather than of quality. Since most of the legislatures in Pakistan are not qualified, the fate of bills and any legislative process is decided by them. Thus, they can not provide a suitable and sustainable constitution for the country.
iii. Expensive form of government: - Democracy assigns and creates more than enough ministries so that it can get the approval and satisfaction of the masses. The burden of ministries causes expensiveness which is not affordable for the governments like Pakistan.
iv. Majority rule: - Democracy, as defined earlier, means the rule of majority. Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, on the same basis, criticized and condemned the democratic form of government since it was harmful for Indian Muslims who were in minority in Indo Pak subcontinent.
AN OVERVIEW OF DEMOCRACY IN PAKISTAN
Democracy in Pakistan is, unfortunately, a failure. The roots of dictatorship are very much strong in Pakistan. The involvement and illegal intervention of Bureaucracy and Military dictators do not let the democracy to take root inside Pakistan. The history of democracy even though short can be studied as under with special reference to the history of Pakistan.
Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan, the first premier of Pakistan, soon after the assumption of his charge, convened a constituent Assembly. The Assembly was assigned the task to frame a sustainable constitution for the future of Pakistan. It however failed to do so although it continued extending its life. It remained in office for seven years in spite of doing nothing. It was later dissolved by the Governor General Iskandar Mirza however controversially.
The first election, soon after the constituent assembly of Pakistan, was held in 1954. Since the Muslim League lost the election in East Pakistan, it was thought to be fair. The opposition parties formed an alliance which was known as ‘United Jagtoo Front’. The alliance succeeded to win 223 out of 309 seats in East and emerged as the biggest party. Muslim League was routed. The West Pakistan was blamed for creating a rift amongst the opposition parties for preventing them from implementing their manifesto. The Political instability was caused due to the Mutilated tussle between East and West wings of Pakistan.
The election for the National Assembly was supposed to be held in January 1959. The plan of election was however pre – empted with the imposition of Martial Law in Oct 1958. The Martial Law was imposed by major General Iskandar Mirza. Therefore, no direct election was held for parliament from 1947 till 1970.
General Ayub, a military dictator during his regime, abolished the method of direct election. Instead of a direct election he adopted the principles of Basic Democratic System to elect president, National and Provincial assemblies. The system was to act as an electoral college. There were 80,000 basic democrats 40,000 from each East and West Pakistan. General Ayub was moreover elected as president of Pakistan for five years by the same basic democrats. Thus, his position was strengthened and given a legitimate shape.
Miss Fatima Jinnah, on behalf of the people, contested the election for president ship against General Ayub. Nevertheless, she lost the election due to the involvement of civil and military bureaucracy. Thus the sanctity of ballot box was violated and a dictator swept the poll however unconstitutionally.
General Ayub was succeeded by an other dictator General Yahya Khan. He however, promised to hold general election on the basis of direct franchise. The election of 1970 was also thought to be fair and impartial. The Awam League and People’s Party swept the poll in East and West Pakistan respectively. General Yahya did not accept the result and thus resulted in a political turmoil. Moreover, it was during that decade that the sad incident leading the secession of East Pakistan happened.
The first election under the constitution of 1973 was held in 1977. PPP came into power at center. The opposition parties labeled the charge of rigging against PPP. The latter demanded for re – election which was not accepted. Thus the democratic government was overthrown by the dictator General Zia ul Haq. He remained into power till 1985. The presence of Z.H in the election of 1985 caused the absence of leading political parties from election. Therefore, the election was proved as fruitless. The next election was held in 1988 in which Benazir Bhutto came into power at center and provinces of Sindh and NWFP. The Government was however accused for involving ISI in the election. Therefore, the political situation was deteriorated and the government collapsed before completing its tenure. The election of 1990 brought Nawaz Sharif into power which could not get the stamp of fairness. It is said that the purpose of election was only to oust the newly born government of PPP.
Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan, the first premier of Pakistan, soon after the assumption of his charge, convened a constituent Assembly. The Assembly was assigned the task to frame a sustainable constitution for the future of Pakistan. It however failed to do so although it continued extending its life. It remained in office for seven years in spite of doing nothing. It was later dissolved by the Governor General Iskandar Mirza however controversially.
The first election, soon after the constituent assembly of Pakistan, was held in 1954. Since the Muslim League lost the election in East Pakistan, it was thought to be fair. The opposition parties formed an alliance which was known as ‘United Jagtoo Front’. The alliance succeeded to win 223 out of 309 seats in East and emerged as the biggest party. Muslim League was routed. The West Pakistan was blamed for creating a rift amongst the opposition parties for preventing them from implementing their manifesto. The Political instability was caused due to the Mutilated tussle between East and West wings of Pakistan.
The election for the National Assembly was supposed to be held in January 1959. The plan of election was however pre – empted with the imposition of Martial Law in Oct 1958. The Martial Law was imposed by major General Iskandar Mirza. Therefore, no direct election was held for parliament from 1947 till 1970.
General Ayub, a military dictator during his regime, abolished the method of direct election. Instead of a direct election he adopted the principles of Basic Democratic System to elect president, National and Provincial assemblies. The system was to act as an electoral college. There were 80,000 basic democrats 40,000 from each East and West Pakistan. General Ayub was moreover elected as president of Pakistan for five years by the same basic democrats. Thus, his position was strengthened and given a legitimate shape.
Miss Fatima Jinnah, on behalf of the people, contested the election for president ship against General Ayub. Nevertheless, she lost the election due to the involvement of civil and military bureaucracy. Thus the sanctity of ballot box was violated and a dictator swept the poll however unconstitutionally.
General Ayub was succeeded by an other dictator General Yahya Khan. He however, promised to hold general election on the basis of direct franchise. The election of 1970 was also thought to be fair and impartial. The Awam League and People’s Party swept the poll in East and West Pakistan respectively. General Yahya did not accept the result and thus resulted in a political turmoil. Moreover, it was during that decade that the sad incident leading the secession of East Pakistan happened.
The first election under the constitution of 1973 was held in 1977. PPP came into power at center. The opposition parties labeled the charge of rigging against PPP. The latter demanded for re – election which was not accepted. Thus the democratic government was overthrown by the dictator General Zia ul Haq. He remained into power till 1985. The presence of Z.H in the election of 1985 caused the absence of leading political parties from election. Therefore, the election was proved as fruitless. The next election was held in 1988 in which Benazir Bhutto came into power at center and provinces of Sindh and NWFP. The Government was however accused for involving ISI in the election. Therefore, the political situation was deteriorated and the government collapsed before completing its tenure. The election of 1990 brought Nawaz Sharif into power which could not get the stamp of fairness. It is said that the purpose of election was only to oust the newly born government of PPP.
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