“The essence of democracy is its assurance that people should so respect himself and should be so respected in his own personality that he should have opportunity equal to that of every other human being to show what he was meant to become. ” Ana Garlin Spencer Democracy is the most powerful foam of government. It is also regarded as the decisive foam of government. It requires active participation of people in the decision making process. Without public collaboration, democracy cannot flourish properly. It is the most favorable foam of government as well.
The great personality of entire subcontinent Quaid-a-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the staunch supporter of public participation in formulating government. He was the promoter of democracy in Pakistan. According to Abraham Lincoln, “Democracy is the foam of government for the people, by the people, and through the people” Dr Hassan Askari rightly defines “democracy in the precise and appropriate manner. According to him, It is a process which people initiates by conscious decision and sustain by subscribing to its principle by theory and practices. Here the question arises, what is the nature of democracy? The nature of democracy is evolutionary. It is not achieved at once. It is the long process. It needs strong collaboration. The birth place of democracy was England. Sir Robert Walpole became Prime minister in 1722. Parliamentray democracy started in England first. Before industrial revolution, concentration of wealth was under the control of feudal lords, which was disastrous for the promotion of democracy. Feudalism was a threat for democracy.
History clearly reflects that feudal class was great threat for the establishment of democratic practice. After Industrial revolution wealth was divided and distributed. Middle class came to forefront which promoted ideal foam of democracy in different countries. Democracy first finds ground in India after England. Jawaharlal Nehru Comprehended the entire scenario of feudalism. He did not give chance to feudalism to hold ground. These initial efforts brought tremendous change in India. It laid down the foundation of strong democracy.
Active participation of people has been viewed in India. Pakistan as a sovereign state came into existence on 14 august 1947. The initial years of Pakistan was encircled with multitudes of crises. Bundles of crises have not given smooth path for the establishment of strong democracy. Since independence Pakistan has been facing a lot of turbulences in the path of democracy. Utter failures have been viewed since independence. It creates a sense of self deprivation among masses. Active participation of people has not been viewed since independence.
The main causes of failure of democracy in Pakistan are summarized as follows: Overdeveloped state structure, political instability, military intervention, massive corruption, lack of accountability, weak infrastructure, feudal dispensation, institutional crises, constitutional crises, strong bureaucracy, low level of political socialization, extremism, weak civil society and absence of mature leadership. Presence of these causes is always considered as a menace to democracy. Now let’s have a cursory look on the elaboration of the following causes.
Overdeveloped state structure causes a great hurdle in the path of democracy. Pakistan has been facing this challenge since independence. The monopolization and centralization of power have creating a lot of problem for Pakistan. It creates hurdles in the way of smooth democracy. Political instability is the main threat to democratic process. It creates unnecessary barriers in the process of democracy. Pakistan has been facing this menace since independence. Because of this problem democracy is always facing difficulties. Military intervention in the democratic path was regarded as a dead blow in the way of democracy.
In Pakistan, democracy faced four military intrusions, which was the menace for democracy. Massive corruption paved the way for military to intervene in the internal affairs of country. After independence, massive corruption started to great extent. It gave path to military elite to rule Pakistan. Lack of accountability is known as threat for any institution. In the absence of accountability no country can maintain its strong foothold. It causes a lot of trouble. Since inception, Pakistan has been facing the challenge of lack of aacountability. this is main reason of democratic downfall.
Weak infrastructure of Pakistan has been creating a lot of issues. Massive corruption make infrastructure weak and futile. In the presence of corruption and absence of accountability make infrastructure weak. Weakness of infrastructure is creating constraints in the path of democracy. Feudalism is threat to democracy. After emergence, feudal class had more power and wealth. This class created barriers in the way of democracy. Since independence, institutional crises have been viewed. Clash between judiciary and executive class is a threat to democratic practice. Lack of consensus is making commotion.
A constitutional crisis is regarded as a definite threat to democratic procedure. After independence Pakistan took long seven year in drafting constitution. Certain pitfall also aroused in the path of drafting constitution. After emergence Pakistan faced strong influence of bureaucracy. In the initial year of establishment only two institutions were powerful to face the challenge of early establishment. Quaideazam gave chance to military elite and bureaucrats to complete the task of establishment. Soon after completing the task, they maintained strong control over the state institution which created a lot of problem for Pakistan.
Low level of political socialization in Pakistan has been viewed since independence. For democratic achievement political socialization is necessary. Weak civil society is a menace for democracy. It creates a big gap in the establishment of democracy. Both are dependable on each other. Extremism has been spreading like ulcer in Pakistan. It has deep roots in the past history. It creates a lot of hurdles in the development process. How can democracy flourish in the presence of trouble makers? Dynamic leadership is missing in Pakistan. After the death of Powerful leader Quaideazam Pakistan has been facing democratic vacuum.
No leader is like Father of nation. Quaideazam proved to be marvelous. Since independence no leader has proved himself as mighty Quaideazam. Now let’s have a cursory look on the impacts of democracy. Democracy puts positive impacts on individual life, social life, political life and economic life. Democracy flourishes individual life to great extent. Public say has been promoted in the presence of democracy. It provides massive opportunity in the development process. Demands of people have been viewed. Opportunities have been given to people regarding job.
Society blooms in the presence of democracy. Every department whether government or private work in an organized manner. Democracy puts positive impacts on political life. If political parties work with sincerity in the establishment, and then it proves to be gain. Embezzlement of funds creates hurdles in the path of democratic process. Political stability has been needed in the establishment of democracy. Democracy gives very smooth path to economic development. Both are interconnected. Funds have been utilized in the socio economic development which paves the way for successful establishment.
Now let’s have a look on the measure for the survival of democracy in Pakistan. Uninterrupted democratic process, curtailment in the role of army, efficacious accountability, breakage in power accumulation, judicial reformation, role of media, limited international interference and political socialization. UN interruption in democratic process should be enforced. This can play very effective role in the establishment of democracy. Since independence, army intrusion has been viewed which created hurdles in the path of democracy. Massive intrusion in the democratic process should be controlled. Corruption should be controlled.
Proper system of accountability should be launched to eliminate this illegal activity. Accountability is necessary for the proper working of institutions. Breakage in the power accumulation process has paved the way for democracy. Feudal class has been engage in the accumulation of power. They are power lusty. This power must be snatched from them for proper flow of democracy in Pakistan. Judicial reforming is very important for the establishment of democratic practices. Judiciary is very powerful branch of government. It needs reformation in its own spheres. Media is known as the fourth pillar of state.
It is now become more powerful than nuclear. It is powerful way of expression. It gives boost to democracy. Limitation in international interference is needed. Massive international interference is a threat to Pakistan sovereignty. It is also a menace to democracy in Pakistan. Political socialization is needed. Awareness and mass consciousness about politics has been required for the strength of democracy. It is the most powerful way of promoting democracy in our country. Political awareness in needed in every walk of life. Poor population is easily cheated by shrewd politician. Awareness can only be romoted by media. Thus it is clear that democracy is the most viable and effective foam of government. It gives platform to general masses in the decision making process. It creates a bridge between Government and people. Massive role of people has been welcomed in democracy. It creates consciousness among masses. In a nutshell, it is a very long way to achieve democracy in true foam in Pakistan. It requires sincerity and efforts in the establishment. Democracy is not only foam of government but it is a complete philosophy which covers all aspects of rights and freedom. It needs public collaboration in true sense.
