Democracy Crisis in Pakistan and Solution

Democracy Crisis in Pakistan 

A Brief Looking into the Past of Democracy

    Even as we are tempted to imagine that the essence of democracy comes from Athens of old (say 5th century BCE) when citizens voted directly, it has altered significantly. The original Athenian democracy was severely limited (only free men could take part). Later still, the Roman Republic dabbled with representatives - elected officials acting on behalf of the people. 

    Following that came the fall of Rome, and democratic concepts nearly extinct from Europe. They persisted in brief periods, as in the case of the Model Parliament held in England in 1295, bringing together delegates.

    The real revival came in the Enlightenment (17th-18th centuries), wherein John Locke could advocate governmental consent and natural rights, Jean-Jacques Rousseau could proclaim the "will of the people," while Montesquieu made proposals on the separation of powers (that is, legislative, executive, and judicial) to avoid any tyranny. This gardener of freedom, equality, and republics would go on to result in revolutions in America and France.

   Signing up for popular elections at such an advanced stage was impractical, given countries have grown bigger; hence a representative sort of democracy has come to be adopted by modern democracies: we elect people to make decisions for us. This is how such evolution shows democracy has been adjusting core principles of its foundation to meet new realities.

A Menu of Benefits to a Democratic Way of Life

    Apart from any underlying philosophy, democracies offer tangible benefits: 

• Economic Development: Democracies are generally more resilient in their economies and GDP growth. Freedom nurtures creativity and entrepreneurship. 
• Social Development: Democracies are often characterized by better health outcomes (greater longevity, lower child mortality), better access to health care, and better educational infrastructure. 
• Rights of Man & the Rule of Law: Democratic System provide mechanisms for the protection of fundamental rights and equal treatment under the law. 
• Permanent Peace: Democracies are less likely to go to war against one another and experience a much lower incidence of internal conflict. 

    In this respect, the United Nations itself pursues democracy as the best way to protect human rights, ensure advancement of peace, and develop in the way of better resource distribution. 

Pakistan's Painful Experience with Democracy

    Since 1947, a somewhat tortured experience has been Pakistan's story of democracy. With regular interruptions to civilian regimes by military interventions, the democratic process has always been shadowed whenever it has tried to take root. 

• An Interruption Level: The democratic process that started with the first-ever general elections in Pakistan in 1970 was Frustrated by the military coup of 1977 and again, in 1999. 
• A Landmark: A watershed moment in the democratic history of Pakistan born on that very day was observed in 2008 when the first-ever peaceful transfer of power between governments constituted by an elected parliament that served its full term was carried out.
• Stubborn Barriers: Even with all advancement, the race to consolidate democratic norms is an uphill task. 

Deep Dive: Main problems of democracy in Pakistan. 

    Connectively, these factors are a persistent hindrance to Pakistan's democratic consolidation: 

1. Political Instability & Polarization: Changing and relapsing governments and their internal political divisions have occurred frequently. Political involvement of the military and targeting of opposition figures further exacerbate political crises. .   
2. Weak Institutions & Rule of Law: The Parliament and the judiciary often lack the tools necessary to exert adequate oversight. Such lack of disclosure, as well as inconsistent enforcement of laws, have made the foundations of democracy shaky. While the judiciary at times asserts itself, it has also been charged that it sometimes lacks neutrality. Thus, legal uncertainties are created. 
3. Pervasive Corruption & Lack of Accountability: Corruption still presents a major problem. It is evident in Pakistan's unusual position on several international indices, therefore depriving the people of democratic institutions and procedures. 
4. Ever-present Influence of Military: Military has historically - and still continues to - play a hugely significant role in all affairs of the state, more importantly in that of foreign and security policy. Such a dynamic finds the military as the ultimate arbiter of power, thus contesting the civilian's supremacy. 
5. Economic Crises and Inequality: Political tensions are high and democratically weakened by the ongoing economic ailments - debilitating debt, inflation, poverty, and inequitable distribution of national resources.
6. Elite Capture and Patronage: Powerful families and established interests are often seen as more interested in personal gain than in the national good, which hampers the efforts toward meritocracy in politics and administration. 
7. Lack of Civic Awareness: Limited understanding of democratic rights and processes among the masses condition participation, thus allowing the elites to continue their hegemony. 

Enduring Aspirations and Voices of Resistance 

    Yet, in spite of these formidable challenges, the aspiration toward democracy remains alive. The vision of Pakistan's founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, still resonates, having sought equality, justice, and tolerance within the framework of Islam.   

    The powerful poetry of resistance by Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Habib Jalib, and Kishwar Naheed serves as an eternal reminder of the continuing struggle against authoritarianism and injustice. The struggles highlighted by evolving fiction assist Pakistani writers in addressing the problematique of the country's democratic evolution.

Finding the Way Out: Steps towards a Stronger Democracy

    For a viable democratic future, we should intensify all efforts toward realization on multiple fronts: 

1. Strengthen Democratic Institutions: Empower local governments through decentralization. An autonomous Election Commission must be ensured for conducting credible elections. Ensure that the legislature and judiciary are empowered to check executive action and protect the rule of law.
2. Acceptable Governance: Vigorously fight corruption with transparency and accountability. Ensure justice is accessible to all. Reform governance structures for efficient service delivery to citizens.  
3. Enhanced Citizen Participation: Support civic education nationwide. Create engagement platforms for citizen involvement in policy-making. Motivate youth participation. 
4. Addressing Economic Disparity: Formulate policies that usher in growth for all and reduce inequality. Create opportunities for those in vulnerable positions. 
5. Developing a Democratic Culture: Advance tolerance, compromise, and respect for divergent views. Create a sense of national unity while celebrating diversity. Give space for critical thinking and communication. 
6. Civil-Military Relations Restored and Rethought: Constitutionally set up strict boundaries of civilian supremacy and authority over the military matter. An apolitical military professed to good democratic norms should be propagated. 
7. Look Beyond: Study the successful democratic transitions (Botswana, Ghana, and South Africa) to learn positive lessons for Pakistan.

The Road Ahead: How Long and How Much Resilient?

    It is extraordinarily hard to predict how far along Pakistan is likely to be in achieving democratic consolidation in the grip of established Western democracies. History has shown that democratization travels rarely in a straight line; it engages progress and retreats and may take several generations. It is dependent on an unwavering commitment to extensive reforms.
  The heart of the matter, however, is the resilience of democracy: that is, the strength of a system to weather the storms of time and change while adhering closely to its fundamental premise. This grid of resilience is tempered by various factors: institutions that are pliant, global cooperation, and, most notably, a vibrant civil society.
    The never-yielding demand for democracy from the people of Pakistan is the strongest reason for limitation of hope. Progress may be slow through relentless effort and commitment to democratic values, but it is possible.
    In the words of Shirin Ebadi, a Nobel laureate, "Democracy doesn't recognize east or west; democracy is simply people's will." There is hope that Pakistan will, by upholding the will of its people and persistently working toward its democratic ideals, lift itself above the shadows of its past and into a more enlightened and democratic future.