Topic: Democracy and illiteracy don’t move together

1) Introduction/Reflection on the topic
a. Democracy needs education. Both are highly correlated.
b. Illiteracy is a barrier to democracy

2) Democracy and its principles

3) Theories/philosophers – Evolution of democracy and the emphasis on a literate society
a. Education and the development of democracy
b. Aristotles’s supremacy of laws
c. Plato’s supremacy of philosopher kings
d. Montesquieu – type of govt. is a manifestation of society
e. Professor Hitti – relationship between ideology, state and society

4) Factors which prove that democracy and illiteracy do not move together
a. Lack of literacy drive people’s choice of wrong/incompetent leadership
b. Civic participation is a cornerstone of democracy but in societies where literacy levels are low, civic participation is also low
c. Illiteracy promotes dynastic politics and unaccountable leaders
d. Due to illiteracy people vote on the basis of short-term interests or personal linkages rather than on policy issues
e. Illiteracy promotes retrogressive socio-cultural views and prevents progressive development of democratic system

5) Examples/case studies/leaders of coutries where illiteracy is hampering democracy
a. India
b. Turkey
c. African countries
d. Knowledge based economy and failure of democracy

6) Examples/case studies/leaders of countries where literacy has resulted in strong democracy
a. US
b. UK
c. Developed world

7) In Pakistan
a. How illiteracy is threatening our democracy

8) End on optimistic note