Democracy is the most popular form of a government now-a-days 'power of the people'. The word democracy is of Greek origin with literal meaning 'power of the people'. The essence of democracy is the constitutional eight of the people of a country to manage the affairs of government themselves. Democracy of any kind is new to the sub-continent. When Pakistan gained independence, it had not passed through those gradual of political evolution, of trial and error and reappraisal after which the west had developed the political system which sited to its needs and genius of its people. Consequently, when the raw concept of British brand of democracy was imported into the country, it could not take root in this land.
Democratic process is languishing in our country. Most of the people are illiterate and are unable to choose competent and deserving candidates. Most of the members of legislature belongs to the feudal class and are generally uneducated and work for their own class interests.
Democratic process is halted many times by the military involvement. According to democratic process the military should have no political role 'Au contrary', in our country military plays a dominating role in the country politics. Either military hods the reign of power or it dictates its own terms and condition while staying behind the scene.
We are living in the age of information. Ironically, we have no real concept of free flow of informational. Th print and electronic media are directly under government control. Th have to take advertisements and other benefits from the government. Consequently, they float only those information which are in accordance with the government wishes.
The economic condition of the country deteriorate alarmingly. The peasants and workers are living below poverty line as the feudal and industrialists grab their share. They are living from hand to mouth, as a result, they have no interest int he national and global issues. Their main concern is how to earn three time bread. So, in elections the votes can easily be purchased.
The political parties have further worsened the democratic process. They have no well defined political program. selfless, public spirited leaders are rare commodity. The power-hungry political agitations are fanning the flames of provincialism, parochialism, tribalism and sectarianism.
If one looks through the fifty-two years history of Pakistan, one finds that Pakistan has struggled to establish a true Democratic system which could guarantee its survival, security and development. Democracy emerges and functions at its best in a society with an egalitarian power structure in which some elements\ments are committed to democracy. Unfortunately there is concentrated in two institutions; the civil and military bureaucracy and the feudal lords. They have no commitment to establish democracy as it Will hurt their interests. The few independent professions like doctors, engineers, lawyers, Journalists and writers have material swell as ideological interest to establish democracy. But they lack power.
Since the very inception Pakistan, those who have power lacked commitment to democracy. Those who were potential beneficiaries of democracy lacked the power.
Democracy has a very long history. One can trace its first glimpse when the devil (the Lucifer) refused to prostate before Adam and became the first to use his personal judgment, though in as inappropriate manner, declaring later on, "its better to rule hell, than serve in heaven". The Greeks laid down the basic postulates of democratic system. Rousseau, the Father of democratic system, granted franchise to the middle class and excluded all property less Person and women from the political power. Gradually, this intuition was developed in the west and became popular to an extent that a very large number of counties adopted this from of government.
After the world war 2, many countries of Asia and Africa got rid of colonial rule and became independent. Most of them adopted this form of government. But democracy failed in many of the countries like Burma, Indonesia, Nigeria, etc. for the reason that they had no competent leaders and discipline.
Democratic process can flourish Pakistan if some solid steps are taken. Feudalism is a greatest hurdle in the wake of democracy. India did away with Princedom and Rajwaras right from its birth. We held on with the system and didn't seek guidance from the history. Cannon and mystery battered the castle of feudalism. Democracy gained ground when the feudalism was abolished. Our feudal Lords drive the village folks like a herd of cattle. If we are serious to grow democratic institution, we have to get rid of the feudal system.
We have a class based society. Each class must be given due to representation according to its number. But industrialist Nawaz Sharif and the feudal lord Benazir Will not consider it as it will hurt their class interests.
Discipline is the around which the wheel of democracy revolves. Interests, discipline, democracy takes the form of moberacy and Plato's criticism seems true: "Democracy is the divine right of ignorant people to rule ignorantly". Japan and Germany are the most disciplined nations of the world. Both annihilated during the World War 2. But they rose from ashes and now their currency i stable; economy is sound; society is strong. It is all due to fact that they are disciplined.
In a nutshell, democracy must first enter the heart and mind of the people, then it can enter the precincts of the parliament house. It must be cultivated as an attitude, formed as an habit and acquired as a way of life. If it is not to be 'off the people, buy the people, far the people' against Lincoln's famous saying.
