World Order: Unipolar to Multipolar


Introduction

History has witnessed cycles of rise and fall of civilisations, empires and regional as well as global powers.
In past, military power was the only decisive factor in “balance of power” among nations.
Its strength ensured their expansion and influence while its weakness precipitated their fall and disintegration.
Though, it is still an important element, many other factors like economy, ideology, political stability, statesmanship and diplomacy
have played substantial role in determining the status of a country among the comity of nations in this globalisation world.

The World Order has been more dynamic due to the unprecedented developments in international affairs in the last century-ranging from multipolar, bipolar and unipolar.
The US has enjoyed unilateral and unparalleled status in the international affairs.
But as history repeats itself, the might of American power is visibly diminishing due to neoconservative and imperialistic policies,
and new centres of power are emerging to shape the “multipolar world order”.

Multipolar world
Naturally, whenever any major power or state has shown its ambition to conquer the world and set up hegemonic empire,
it has created resistance from other forces or alliance of forces.
This clash of power has been the characteristics of all the periods, though;
the 20th century is significantly an example of unprecedented struggle between the countries to acquire world supremacy.
In the multipolar world, the conflict between European countries led to the World War-I.
Till then United States of America followed isolationist policies in international realm.
During first three years of war, Washington remained out of war and then declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917.
The success in war established an international foothold for the US.

Bipolar World Order
This deadliest war of history came to an end with of the deadliest weapons (nuclear bombs), which ushered in a new era of nuclear competition.
As the military strength of both the US and the USSR (former) had played significant role in defeating the “axis”,
they established their enormous influence in the world affairs.
The resulting conflict of interest and ideology between the US and the USSR shaped “Bipolar World Order”.
In the aftermath of World War-II, United Nations Organisation (UNO) was created to maintain peace.
However, this forum was also unable to diffuse the tension between the US and the former USSR which marked the second half of the 20th century.
The period is known as the Cold War.

Eventually, Cold War ended with the disintegration of the USSR and emergence of the US as sole super power of the world– economically, militarily and politically.


Unipolar (Current World Order)
The then president of the US Bush coined the term “New World Order”, which was significantly “Unipolar”.
The US has enjoyed a prominent status and role since then;
its economy grew with tremendous pace, its military strength has been unmatched,
its political influence in the international affairs has been uncontested,
and its ideology of democratic principle earned its world leadership.

Simply, the US holds supremacy in every element of global eminence.

Ingredients of global Dominance

Economic power,
Military forces,
Ideological appeal,
Political stability
Statesmanship
Diplomacy

In the light of these ingredients the US still enjoys upper hand over other countries of the world. Some of these are enumerated here.

The US also possesses a strongest military in the world with 1.4 million active personnel force.
Its combat force consists of the largest number of carrier ships, fastest fighter planes with precision guided missiles and bombs.
It has successfully tested anti-ballistic missile shield capacity.

More importantly, the US has led the world ideologically- for the purpose of democratic principles.
It was this ideological perception on the basis of which League of Nations after the World War-I and the United Nations after the World War-II were created.

Moreover, it has maintained commonalty of interest with other major powers.
However, it has not been able to acquire absolute power due to increasing competition from other major powers,
particularly emergence of China, resurgence of Russia, and union of European countries globally and Iran, Venezuela regionally.

“The scope of America’s global hegemony is admittedly great but its depth is shallow, limited by both domestic and external restraints.
” Says Birzinski, the former US National Security Advisor.

Shift in the Balance of power
The US has posed and acted as a most powerful state in the last two decades, but the shallowness of its power.
Other powers have challenged the hegemony of the US in the international affairs.
Though, no any power has individually surpassed the US in any of the elements of balance of power,
they are poised to do in the near future, given the changing paradigm.

Economically, the US is still the largest economy of the world but closely followed by Japan and China.
The per capita income of Japan is higher than that of the US.

China has a very growing economy with sustained growth rate of over nine per cent 9% for the last one and a half decades.
The US faces trade deficit of $800 billon while China has trade surplus of $150 billion a year.
EU’s collective GDP is now greater than that of the US.
Since the launch of Euro currency in 1999, dollar had been losing its value against it constantly.
Economy of Russia has been bloating its since 2000 and its GDP has been tripled.
The rising oil and gas prices have added enormous impetus in Russian economy.

Commenting on the challenges to unipolarity of the US, Richard N. Hass, a scholar at US Council for Foreign Affairs,
wrote in “Foreign Affairs Magazine”:

“Although US’ GDP accounts for over 25 per cent of the world total,
this percentage is sure to decline over time given actual and projected differential between US growth rate and those of Asian giants”.


US military force
Militarily, US military force is said to be the strongest in the world but its superiority is not assuredly marked in contrast to
the military forces’ capabilities of other major powers like Russia, China, France, Germany or
if the capability of communist countries is combined on the one hand and that of the EU is combined on other hand.
Almost all the major powers are nuclear states.
Russia claims to have antiballistic missile capability successfully developed and tested during the Cold War;
China has tested a direct ‘anti-satellite missile’ and ‘carrier cruse killer’.
Moreover, in the current scenario militarilism and terrorism have undermined the strength of quite larger armies.
The 9/11 attacks showed how a small investment by terrorists could cause extraordinary level of damage.

Politically, the influence of the US and its unilateral posture has been seriously checked.
This is manifested from nuclear imbroglio with North Korea and Iran.
China proved to be the best able to influence Pyongyang.
Iran has faced four sets of sanctions by the UNSC on the insistence of the US but does not seem to be ready to compromise its stance.
The degree of sanctions was significantly softened due to the stand of Russia and China.
“Washington’s ability to pressure Tehran has been strengthened by the participation of several Western European countries and
weakened by the reluctance of China and Russia to sanction Iran”, says Richard N. Hass.

Meanwhile, writ of the US has been significantly challenged by Venezuela in Latin America,
which is supported by Argentina and Brazil.
While challenging the US authority, Venezuela is developing close relations with Russia and China.
Russian President Dimitry Medvedev visited Caracas in mid 2008 and signed a nuclear deal with his counterpart Hugo Chavez.
Their military cooperation is also strengthening after this result.
In South Asia, India is emerging as a global power due to its robust economic growth and large population of over 1 billion.

Ideologically, US had prominence due to its ideological appeal but the practical approach to the democratic cause has been contrary to the ideology.
Washington’s dealing with other countries has been influenced by its economic and hegemonic interests rather than democratic principles and justice.
The US has been supportive to dictatorships and kingdoms, while it has been calling others for democracy.
The factor which has most stigmatised America’s reputation is its policy in the Middle East where it has been biased.
It calls Israel’s ‘state terrorism’ as ‘right of self-defense’, while it terms the legitimate resistance of Palestinians as ‘terrorism’.

Though, emergence of new powers was natural, the status of the US could remain unchallenged, had Washington transformed its attitude and policies from a unilateralist to multilateralist approach.
But the unilateral and unjustified policies of the US on several accounts from Iraq war to climate change crises have only unveiled fissures in its power structure.


Driving forces behind the end of unipolarity

The most controversial issues, which have placed the US at the opposite pole from rest of the world,
are energy crises, Iraq war, climate change, financial crises and globalisation.
These factors have rather proved catalyst in the shift from unipolar to the multipolar world.


US energy policy
Energy resources are vital element in foreign policy formulation, particularly in contemporary scenario of energy crises.
The US energy policy is a driving force behind the end of unipolarity.
Since there is increase in demand of oil, it has two-fold effects on geopolitical front.
First; the increase in demand raised the world oil prices from just over $20 a barrel to over $150 a barrel in less than a decade until the financial crisis plunged the oil prices.
This increase in oil cost resulted in enormous transfer of wealth and leverage to energy rich countries.
Secondly in order to secure energy supply, all the major powers have common interest in the energy rich countries.
This competition has resulted in confrontational politics on the international stage.
This is the energy demand which led the US to war in Iraq.


Iraq war (Imperial Overstretch)
The Iraq war has significantly contributed to the dilution of the US power in the world.
It has proved to be expensive in terms of almost all elements of power and in human terms.
Historian Paul Kennedy had outlined in his book ‘Imperial Overstretch’ that the US would eventually decline by overreaching just as other powers had in the past.
The war has cost America deaths of more than 4,500 troops and over $700 billion as loss.
Resultantly, the US fiscal position has declined from surplus of $100 billion in 2000 to a deficit of $700 billion in 2007.
This also manifests that Washington cannot fight anymore war unilaterally.

Diplomatic front
On the diplomatic front, the US could not obtain approval from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for going into war in Iraq.
The issue of pre-emptive war divided the US and the UK from their European partners — France and Germany — and other global powers — Russia and China.

The financial crisis of 2008
The financial crisis of 2008 hit the backbone of the US economy whereas Russian, Chinese and other Asian economies have displayed quite stability.
The crisis damaged not only its economy but image as well.
“The financial crisis is causing major damage to US image as the stable anchor of the world economy,
and American leadership, as the dominant financial superpower with free and innovative markets, is in question”, says Yeongseop Rhee, of Brookings institution.

In a short, the financial crisis has defined the economic multipolarity of the world.


Globalisation
Besides, the globalisation has transformed the world into an interdependent multipolar world.
Nation States have been losing their monopoly on power and are being challenged by regional and global organisations,
and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporations.
Globalisation has strengthened ties and connection in economy, politics, science and technology, culture and society around the world.
It is the impact of globalisation and leverage of environmental NGOs that 186 countries though reluctantly signed the Kyoto Protocol,
Copenhagen Accord and now the ‘Cancun Agreements’ on climate change.

Above issues have reflected upon a point that no country can independently address such global issues like
climate change,
terrorism,
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,
economic crisis and above all the
world peace and security.
It has been proved that unilateral and hegemonic efforts have been failed to change the objective law of world politics,
rather, they have aroused resistance across the world.

World is moving towards natural Multipolarity
Hence it is becoming evident that the age of ‘unipolarity’ is ‘dissipating’ and the world is ‘moving towards’ natural ‘multipolarity’.
In other words, there emerged multipowers or centres power.
However, multipolarity is not an immediate reality the rather it is developing trend.
As the emerging powers are strengthening and their inter-dependence increasing, world is being pushed towards multipolarity.

In the future multipolar world order, power would not rest with a few major countries but with several countries.
Each having its specific prominence will have assertive say in the world affairs.
Besides the US, Japan, China, EU and India would have economic strength.
Iran, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, members of the African Union and Brazil would have leverage due to their vast energy resources.
Russia would have both advantages.

Some countries would have importance due to their geostrategic location like Pakistan, Central Asian States, Ukraine, and Turkey
as these countries are located on the energy routes through which energy resources will be routed to rest of the world.

Besides, the international organisations like UNO, World Bank, IMF; regional organisations like SAARC, EU, SCO, ASEAN, AU and NGOs
including environmental, social and humanitarian would be on the list of power centres.


Multipolar world and peace and security
Here a question arises; whether the multipolar world with so many power centres could ensure peace and security?
There are serious concerns because previous multipolarity had led to two World Wars.
The answer is assuredly affirmative.
The future multipolarity is not going to be like the previous one based on independent power base of countries.
On the contrary, the emerging multipolarity is the age of growing inter-dependence and mutual cooperation.
The countries would not be asserting their influence individually but through regional and international organisations on the basis of democratic principles.

The strength of economy, technological advancement, availability of energy and human development depend upon the cooperation of all countries and civilisations.
And a multipolar world can best serve this purpose by creating balance in exercise of power and boosting competitive atmosphere in technological and economic fields.

Characteristics of Multipolar world

“A multipolar world is characterised with coexistence of multiple forces and multiple entities.” To be precise,

collective security,
mutual cooperation and
inter-dependence
would be the earmark of multipolar world.

To achieve this purpose, all the existing and emerging powers need to develop consensus on some prerequisites.
The international relations are required to be democratised.
And to achieve the goals, UN is a best forum.
Firstly its charter’s basic principles of equality of states, majority as core of democratic system
and mechanism of institutions shall be followed in true spirit in dealing with all international issues.

UN’s authority must be safeguarded
Secondly, UN’s authority must be safeguarded and enhanced to play its role to balance the power of various forces and
to find just and rational solution to international conflicts like Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq, nuclear proliferation and humanitarian crises.
It shall facilitate dialogue and exchange of views between different civilisations and cultures of all religion, region and countries.

Conclusion:
As the chronicles of international politics have proved that hegemony and imperialism are the biggest threat to world peace and are the root causes of conflicts and wars, the multipolar world of ‘inter-dependence’ and ‘coexistence’
is a bid to create a harmonious world of economic stability, social justice, collective security and common development.
In this way, human will see the world to embark on the path of peace-the ultimate goal.

Democracy - The Panacea to All Ills of Pakistan

Democracy is the only solution to all the problems that Pakistan is tangled in nowadays.
It is the only panacea which can pave the way for resolutions of all the evils faced by common man.

Sarojini Naidu
Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949) A writer, poetess and one of the most visible leaders of pre-Independent India.
President of the Indian National Congress and the first woman governor of free India.

• "Islam was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy for,
in the mosque when the call for prayer is sounded and worshippers are gathered together,
the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and king kneel side by side and proclaim:
"God Alone is Great." I have been struck over and over again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes man instinctively a brother."

Definition.

Abraham Lincoln rendered a definition of democracy in these words:

a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

By democracy it is meant that people should rule themselves; or rule of people.

Moreover democracy is a form of government in which members are elected to rule by the consent of people and are accountable to people.

Their rule is not arbitrary but they have to conduct their business in accordance with the rules enacted in constitution.

This document which is called constitution defines fundamental rights of people besides provides the framework through which government is to run the affairs of state. However if government acts in contravention with the rules people have inherent right to topple such a government and institute a new one in its place.

Political History Of Pakistan

Pakistan came into being before 60 year almost but still endeavoring to develop the institution of politics in its society.

The founding father of this country, Mr. Jinnah, achieved this country democratically and constitutionally.

Unfortunately destiny did not give enough time to him to draw the socio – economic, religious and political map of newly born state.

In Pakistan, due to intermittent military takeovers, the democracy as an institution could not flourish.

Analysts and experts have a consensus opinion that democracy is the best political system to ensure citizens' rights within the framework of both human rights and rule of law.

the assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan, the first prime minister of Pakistan, was in fact a coup de gráce to democracy in the nascent state of Pakistan. Since then, the power, one way or the other, remained in the hands of military establishment. The situation became so adverse that in 1958.

During early 21 years of its life - 1947 to 1969 - Pakistan was governed by civil – military bureucracy under oligarchic and authoritarian traditions.

This was first chapter of dictatorship. Second and third one were during 1979 to 1988 and 1999 to 2007 under military dictators.

army chief General Ayub Khan imposed the first martial law in the country that made democracy hibernate for years to come.

Under Yahya's rule, due to internal political wrangling and external intrigues,
Quaid's Pakistan was dismembered, to give birth to a new state; Bangladesh.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto So here started first democratic phase (1970 – 1979) under the inspiring leadership of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. First democratic election held in 1970 and a uninanimous constitution was passed by parliament in 1973 in which, democratic parliamentary government system was introduced.

General Zia ruled the country like a monarch and this was during his rule that all the ills —sectarianism, terrorism, Kalashnikov culture, drugs and other menaces came.

Unstable 90s
Second phases of democracy were between 1988 to 1999
At that critical moment in country's history, this incident created a void in the political arena of Pakistan.
Afterwards, in almost a decade, no elected government could complete its constitutional term as they were ousted by the discretionary powers — under Article 58(2)(b) — of the then presidents.

During this time, elected leaders proved themselves as a comprehensive failure and they were and they are failed to deliver to the public.

Nevertheless, this decade of personalized politics and lust for power came to an end with another coup on 12th October 1999, which again put the country under military rule of General Musharraf.

Third phases 2007 to the present date
Then, in 2008, after relentless efforts on part of civil society and a lawyers' movement, democracy was restored in Pakistan and elections were conducted. The democracy rekindled with the populist PPP again holding the reins of the country.

This election and unprecedented freedom of judiciary bode well for democracy in Pakistan.

This was due to this fact that for the very first time in the history of Pakistan a Parliament completed its constitutional term notwithstanding the fact that inter-institutional wrangling resulted in the ouster of a prime minister on the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan; the third pillar of the state.

So democratic era in Pakistan is almost 24 years.


Impact

Pakistan's current problems
a. Political problems
i. Intermittent military interventions
ii. Weak judiciary
iii. Divided media
b. Economic problems
i. Faltering economy
ii. Unemployment
iii. Declining foreign direct investment (FDI)
iv. Poor performance of major sectors
c. Social problems
i. Poverty
ii. Rampant terrorism and sectarianism
iii. Illiteracy
iv. Poor infrastructure
v. Feudalistic mindset



4. How democracy can steer Pakistan out of all these crises?

a. Democracy provides equality and justice to all
b. Democracy and strong economy are interlinked
c. People choose the leaders for their prosperity
d. Democracy annihilates feudalism
e. Only a democratic state can meet the security challenges
f. The democratic states wok for the betterment of their citizens and
of state infrastructure, education, trade, etc.
g. Democracy guarantees freedom of expression

Causes of Failure of Poltical System

Causes of failure of democracy in Pakistan lies in our socio - political system.

Feudalism, illiterate and apathetic people,
self – imposed leaders and inherited politics are a few salient features of this system.
It's a feudal state where we are living and most of our political leaders are just feudal lords and they and have assumed and established their identity as political leaders.
In this way, democracy has been reduced to oligarchy and aristocracy in our country.

Illiteracy also leads to poverty.
An illiterate and economically impoverished community has only concern with bread and butter and they cannot comprehend and follow the true spirit of democracy.

Accordingly the Census of 1998, literacy rate of Pakistan was 43.92%.and literacy rate among rural community of Pakistan was 33.64% in 1998.

The overbearing feudal power structure in Pakistan is the main cause of our political decay.

It has always resisted land reforms in the country which it fears will strike at its own roots.

Unlike India's Congress Party, the Muslim League, Pakistan's founding party was almost wholly dominated by few feudal families,
which the British had patronised before partition and were powerful enough to retain control
over national affairs through the bureaucracy and the armed forces.
Even after Muslim League's disintegration, the same feudalised oligarchy consisting of different men
at different times under different political flags remained in power with or without military collaboration
Another matter of real concern is the feudal system.
The concentration of power in a few families had thwarted democracy to thrive.

A common man cannot even think to have access to corridors of power.
In rural areas, people are forced to vote for their feudal lords or waderas.


Historically too, Pakistan was handicapped in developing a democratic tradition.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the British had been
gradually devolving power to local authorities in several provinces across India
but those reforms were never extended to the North-West Frontier Province and Punjab,
the territories that later made up the bulk of Pakistan after the 1947 partition.
Thus several of the provinces India inherited from the Raj already had some experience in democracy,

Pakistan inherited two highly militarized provinces with no such tradition.

First of all, military's intervention in political affairs has disturbed the political scenario of the country.
The longer dictatorial regimes have culminated in aggravation of internal and external challenges.
If, by the stroke of luck, any sincere leadership came at the helm to act for betterment and steer country towards development, it was ousted by the military elite.

Another pertinent matter that is one of the major threats to democracy is country's weak judicial system.
The fragile judiciary has given immunity to the actions of every military dictator and
provided them with a legal cover under the pretext of doctrine of necessity and expediency.

“The judiciary cannot fight the dictators.
We require strong political institutions which are lacking in the country.
In the current scenario, there is again a threat that history could repeat itself if the guardians of democracy continued to disrespect the norms of democracy and judiciary”

Moreover, media has also been constantly flagging and berating the democratic institutions in the country.
Media trials and undue bias towards certain political parties make democratic institutions fragile and vulnerable.

The most important factor circumscribing democracy's growth in Pakistan,
however, has been its geopolitical location.
Pakistan's failure in democracy is also attributed to its long American connection as a friend and ally.
US has looked at Pakistan and its special geo-political importance only as a strategic asset in its “containment” policy against Soviet expansionism.

Once the Afghan war was over and the Soviets pulled out, the US just walked away,
leaving Afghanistan and its people at the mercy of their fate.
In the aftermath of 9/11, Pakistan again became a frontline state, and a pivotal partner of the United States in its war on terror.
As a battleground of this war, Pakistan could not escape the fall out of the crisis on its already volatile socio-economic environment.

5. How democracy can be strengthened in Pakistan?
a. Sincere and devoted leadership
b. No military intervention in politics
c. Restoring People's trust in leadership
d. Reforming the judiciary
e. Strengthening state institutions
f. Creating awareness among people on benefits of democracy
g. Making education the first priority
h. Ensuring rule of law
i. Media's unprejudiced and unbiased role

Presently, hardly any sector in Pakistan is free from problems and personal politics.


Conclusion:
In ipso facto, democracy is the only instrument which can be a sole solution to all ills of Pakistan.
It is the system that gives voice to the masses so that they may rise up to mitigate their adversities and sufferings.

If democracy is introduced in letter and spirit, then the day is not far when we will have a Pakistan dreamt
by our forefathers where citizens would have a say in matters concerning the well-being of the populace
in economy, education, health and infrastructural development spheres.
Only a robust democratic system can guarantee full freedom and equal justice to all in every sphere of life.

Why India is democratic and Pakistan is not. What after all is wrong with Pakistan?

To start with, however, there was no level-playing field for the state of Pakistan which had to build an entire government from the scratch in 1947
under a state of emergency whereas India was born with an intact bureaucratic apparatus in Delhi.

The Congress emerged virtually as a mini-parliament with democratic habits of debate, argument and negotiation.

Since then, India managed to forge an uninterrupted democratic tradition by adopting its constitution in 1950, going through political and economic reforms and despite its huge size and socio-economic challenges, holding elections every five years.

In Pakistan, the vision of a democratic and progressive future articulated unambiguously After the Quaid, it was left without any sense of direction,
and came to be possessed by a corrupt political hierarchy of no more than a bunch of self-serving,

Since independence, the politics and governments in Pakistan have also remained hostage to the feudal-led elite classes

Feudalist and opportunistic politicians who were to manage the newly independent Pakistan in collusion with civil and military bureaucracy.

In the process, we saw a continuing cycle of governmental changes by non-political means.

Machiavelli's political philosophy based on the “doctrine of necessity,” became an integral part of our body politic.




Is Democracy is the Best Form of Government System?
A dictator may rule democratically, and a democratic government could be tyrannical and oppressive.
It is therefore the content, which makes democracy the most admirable form of government,
rather than the form by which Voltaire meant when he said that: it makes no difference to a poor man whether he is devoured by a lion or hundred rats.


In the same way the argument that democracy is a success in one society and its failure in other is not enough to prove that democracy is not the ideal form of government.

The words of Plato may be relevant when he said: unless we have better men we could not have better society or state.

For a better democracy there must be a better society.

Unless it is done society can not avail itself the benefits a democratic system has to offer.


DEMOCRACY & ISLAM

Whether democracy is compatible with Islam or not has been under discussion for more than a century.

However, since the final decades of 20th century and especially in post 9/11 world, this very question has gained more prominence.

Many people hold that democracy has no place in the political system of Islam.

But, Islam is not merely a religion; it is a complete code of life.
All aspects of Muslim society, individual or collective, are covered by the social structure of Islam.

Hence, a political system also comes very much under the Umbrella of the Islami.

The Holy Quran has mentioned the word 'shura' for governance in Surah Ash-Shura (The Consultation); verse 38: “They govern with mutual consultation.”

The essence of a true democracy too is consultation.

The governing system of the Righteous Caliphs was the manifestation of this democracy.

The basic pillars of a true democracy, i.e. consultation, justice, equality and accountability, are found in the governance of the Four Righteous Caliphs.


Furthermore, their deeds verify the highest democratic values in governance which are extinct today in the governance of the so-called democratic rulers.

The day after his election as the caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) came out with pieces of cloth on his shoulder to sell, because before his caliphate, this had been his source of income.
Hazrat Umar (RA) met him on the way and asked,
“What are you doing?” He replied, “I have to support my family.”

The rights to criticism and freedom of expression before the ruler, which are important features of democracy, were evident in the governance of these caliphs.

Hazrat Salman Farsi (RA), a respected companion of the Prophet (PBUH), questioned Caliph Hazrat Umar (RA) in a public gathering, asking why he had taken two sheets while everyone else got a single sheet from the spoils.
Hazrat Umar (RA) instantly called his son Abdullah who clarified the position of his father by replying that he had given his sheet to his father due to his tall height.

Hazrat Usman (RA) had to face very severe criticism by the people during his caliphate,

Hazrat Ali (RA) as the caliph tolerated the extreme abuses of the Khawarij.

In conclusion, it may be said that Islam had been the pioneer of democracy,
but its followers in general have forgotten their own values along with the democratic system of governance.

It is an irony of history that contemporary Muslim political thinkers and intellectuals, too, now see Western democracy as a model.

Pakistan & Central Asia


For Pakistan, Central Asia assumes great significance for many reasons. Pakistan's geographical location vis-à-vis Central Asia's landlocked nature and its geo-political and geo-economic importance naturally induce it to reach out to the region.

Political and Security compulsions as well as energy, trade, transit and commercial gains mainly determine our policy towards Central Asia.

Pakistan always sustained hope to become a regional transit trade hub by linking Central Asia, Western China and South Asia.

Access to the region’s energy resources is one of the main objectives of Pakistan's policy towards the region. Economic Cooperation Organisation and Gwadar Port are still valid hopes in this regard.

South Asia and Central Asia have centuries-old common history that encompasses cultural, religious and economic realms. Pakistan, geographically, is the most significant South Asian country, and it is highly conscious of its common cultural heritage with Central Asian States. The Islamic culture prevailing in Pakistan is, in essence, the Central Asian — not the Arabian — in character. Many scholars and historians hold that the Sufism that penetrated into the Subcontinent was brought by saints, Sufis and invaders from Central Asia and it ultimately influenced our society and culture. Besides, numerous skilled craftsmen, traders, artists, and poets moved from Central Asia to the Subcontinent and infused a new life into the philosophy, poetry, music and architecture of this region.

Cultural Ties

Central Asia has contributed a lot to the development of Islamic theological thought in the Subcontinent, especially the regions included in today’s Pakistan. In the beginning of eighth century, several Muslim Sufis and saints came from Central Asia and with their meritorious efforts, Islam spread all over the region. The names of Bukhari, Al-Khoresmi, Al-Farabi, Al-Beruni, Al-Ghazali, and Akhmed Yasavi are broadly known in the Muslim world. Nevertheless, along with cultural, historical and religious ties, the trade links also strengthened owing to old Silk Route with (United) Indian merchant outposts in Kashgar, Yarkand, and Qara-Shahr in Central Asia.

Trade Relations

The history of the Subcontinent-Central Asia trade relations dates back to prehistoric times when various trade routes connected the two regions. Central Asia’s historic heritage definitely places it as one of the most powerful economic centres in the world. No doubt, the new trends in the international and regional policies offer initiatives for Pakistan to look towards Central Asia, yet the significance of links between Pakistan and Central Asia has always been felt mostly because of the past religious, cultural and commercial bonds which presented source to establish that association.

The vast area stretching from Aral to Arabian Sea has been serving as a route for trade and free movement of the people since long.

The people from Lahore to Kazakh on the Volga, and from Baku to Multan have witnessed the old caravan trade routes during Kushan period. Then, the Silk Road played a significant role in flourishing trade and commercial activities.


Economic Relations in Modern World

Central Asia has a great importance for Pakistan because of its economic vitality and potential in the form energy reserves.
In reciprocation, the landlocked region of Central Asia needs Pakistan in order to have an outlet to exploit its huge potential.

Pakistan can become a ‘gateway’ to Central Asia for the outer world if it exploits its leverage in this context. That is why Pakistan has been trying to promote relations with these resource-rich states claiming an edge of historic Central Asian Region-Pakistan cultural, religious, political and economic linkages dating back centuries between the two regions.
In the contemporary world, the significance of Pakistan has increased manifold due to its close geographical proximity with the resourceful Central Asia because scarcity of gas and oil resources has developed a sense of urgency in the West as well as in the US to seek new resources that Central Asian states offer in abundance.

Pakistan’s economic priority is for developing bilateral trade in raw material and manufactured goods, opening up communications and contracting for regular supplies. Pakistan saw industry there and Pakistani entrepreneurs felt they had a great deal to offer in setting up substantial benefits for its industrial growth in obtaining regular supplies of surplus power through gas and electricity grid scheme or through future oil supplies from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The Heartland Theory

Keeping in view Mackinder’s Heartland Theory which articulates that whoever controls Central Asia shall wield enormous power in the world, the significant of this energy-rich region cannot be ignored. Pakistan is an energy-hungry country, as its economy has to face security problems and constraints especially after 9/11 while the Central Asian states are abundant in excellent infrastructure, massive fossil fuel reserves along with minerals and metal deposits.

It is the enormous manufacturer of gold reserves and oil and natural gas. It also abounds in energy resources and the developed economies like America, China and West as well as rising economies like India along with developing economies like Pakistan’s and other South Asian countries are in dire need these resources to accelerate and develop their economies. The big powers America, Russia China, and the European Union eye the natural and human resources of Central Asia. It is also ideal for Japan, Iran and the rising economy of India.

Central Asia is worth a geo-political struggle over resources and it is a “Great Gain” for the world. Each and every country wants to have an access and get hold on these resources and the world, particularly the big powers, compete for the resources of Central Asia.


Conclusion

In future the world will be in severe need of energy but the region is landlocked and South Asia is the ideal way to have an access to these resources. That is why the great game is being played in Afghanistan and Pakistan to create disturbance in these countries. However, if the peace and security is ensured in these countries and a well developed infrastructure is contrasted there, it will be in the benefit of the world, particularly both the regions of Central Asia and South Asia.

Recommendations for Pakistan

• Pakistan must put its own house in order. The political instability is least conducive to entering into long-term arrangements with these countries.
• Emphasis must be on establishing mutually beneficial economic relations.
• Russian susceptibilities must be kept in mind.
• Healthy competition with Turkey and Iran must not be allowed to end up in rivalry.
• In addition to state-to-state relations greater people-to-people contacts would prove useful.
• The ingredients which Pakistan puts into the melting pot of Central Asia must be such that it results in shaping a mutually beneficial relationship. Any input which detracts from this aim must be nipped in the bud.
• Pakistan should develop and promote her trade and commerce with Central Asian States. And for this purpose, developing infrastructure, including construction of roads and development of seaports should be the topmost priority.
• New agreements and deeds should be made with CAS and old agreements should be realized.
• Pakistan should also consider ways and means to become a gateway to other countries particularly Europe to give them access to the resources of Central Asia
• A strong government in Afghanistan is necessary; therefore, Pakistan should make all efforts in this regard.

GOOD GOVERNANCE


Introduction
Governance describes the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented or not implemented.
Good governance is a term to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in order to guarantee the realization of human rights.

Governance means to exercise power and authority with an aim
to regulate public life in larger interest of the masses.

the power and authority is to be exercised with great care and
those authorized to use this power should also be accountable to the public.

It means that form of governance should be open;
coupled with transparency, accountability,
access to information and empowerment.

Good governance is a prerequisite for
social harmony,
public order,
political stability,
economic prosperity and
certainty about future.
It delivers the fruit of progress and development evenly to all and sundry.

Difference between Govt and Governance
There is a huge difference between government and the governance; the former is a physical entity while the latter is qualitative and normative in nature.
There can be a government but what determines its efficacy and effectivenessin improving the lives of its citizens is its governance.

Essentials of good governance

Participation
Participation by both men and women is a key
Participation needs to be informed and organized.
This means freedom of association and expression on the one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand.

Rule of law
fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially.
full protection of human rights, particularly of minorities.
Impartial enforcement of laws requires an
independent judiciary and
impartial and incorruptible police force.

Transparency
Transparency means that decisions taken under rules and regulations.
It also means that information is freely available and directly accessible.

Responsiveness
serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.

Consensus oriented
There are several actors and many view points in society.
Good governance requires mediation of the different interests to create consensus.

Inclusiveness of all stakeholders.
A society’s well being depends on involvement of all stakeholders in decision making.

Effectiveness and efficiency
Institutions produce results meeting needs of society.making the best use of resources at disposal.

Accountability
Accountability is a key requirement of good governance.
In general an organization or an institution is accountable to those who will be affected by its decisions or actions.

Flourishing economy
Flourishing economy is one of the major components of good governance as both are interrelated in one way or the other.

Political stability and efficient administrative:
Both political leaders and beaurocracy go hand in hand for bringing about cult of good governance through effective implementation of public policies.

Good governance is required at all levels of society and state.

Status of good governance in Pakistan:
It is a matter of serious concern that for more than three decades, the country has remained entangled in the oppressive clutches of dictatorship.

Situation of governance in Pakistan
Pakistan has become worst example of bad governance, bribery and exchange of favors.

1. Forces of disintegration -- stronger than forces of cohesion
2. Weak writ of the government
3. Absence of independent judiciary
4. No rule of law
5. Political instability
6. Interprovincial conflicts
7. Unequal distribution of resources
8. extreme bad governance on all national fronts

Causes

Political causes
1. Parliament, a toothless tiger
2. Political instability due to constant military interference
3. Issue of provincialism on revenue, resources and demand of provincial autonomy

Administrative causes
1. Bureaucratic hold on all institutions
2. Political interference on bureaucracy
3. Corruption, mother of all evils
4. Absence of culture of accountability
5. Mismanagement of resources
6. Pakistan, a soft state because of inability of implementation of policies due to lack of consensus

Economic causes
1. Fragile economy - FDI shrinking on account of terrorism and political instability
2. Crisis of energy, food, water
3. Corruption from top to bottom creating burden on the government exchequer

Social causes
1. Poverty – 40 per cent population living below the poverty line (UN reports)
2. Over population -16.6 crore ( Economic Survey of Pakistan 2009)
3. Illiteracy leading to socio-economic backwardness

Remedies
1. Pakistan is in dire need of truly capable leadership
2. Strong anti-corruption campaigns strengthening National Accountability Bureau
3. Strict accountability of all government servants in particular and common masses in general
4. Investment in socio-economic development
5. Allocation of seven per cent GDP for education
6. Three per cent for population control
7. Three per cent for poverty alleviation
8. Generation of new employment opportunities
9. Equal distribution of resources
10. Ensuring freedom of press

Conclusion
Therefore, political stability, rule of law, constitutional supremacy and public participation in policy making and implementation must be ensured. The entire nation must think and act as one nation and collectively contribute for the prosperity of the country. Time is now ripe to come out of the false and baseless concepts of provincialism, sectarianism and nepotism. With all the leadership vacuum and political instability, the nation can still step ahead to create an environment, where good governance is not merely a dream

ARE FOUR PILLARS OF STATE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT AILS PAKISTAN TODAY?


The failure of a system definitely points towards the malfunctioning of some or all the essential components of that system. Indeed the smooth running of a system is only guaranteed if all major constituents of that system continue to work efficiently in harmony with each other.

A state's system which rests upon four fundamental pillars i.e. legislature, executive, judiciary and media also fulfils this fundamental principle.

The present gloomy picture of ailing situation of Pakistan in almost all fields is surely portrayed by dysfunctions of all these four pillars in different proportions. Therefore, the declining economy, deteriorated law and order, unabated ethnicity, increasing violence, marred international image, truncated national unity and absence of respect for humanity and moral values surely enable one to hold these institutions responsible that bear the responsibility of development and smooth running of the society, and whole system of the country.

It is important to analyze the fundamental role of these institutions, the coordination between their chain of command and execution of tasks in order to fix the responsibility in the backdrop of current ailing situation of Pakistan.


Legislature is like the heart of the system which observes the society and enacts laws for the progress and development of the country which are enforced with the help of executive.

Judiciary plays the role of safeguarding the interests of people and state in the light of laws enacted by the legislature.

Media, owing to its power of reaching the minds of people, performs the role of opinion maker and manages the general perception of masses.
It acts as a watchdog in the society, creates checks and balances on individuals and other pillars of state and educates people on national and international issues.

The development and progress results in only when the policies and actions of these four pillars of state work in coherence with each other and exist on same policy page. The fundamental problem arises when there exists lack of coordination between these four pillars of state which results in absence of uniformity in principles of policy.

The first outcome of such a situation is the conflict of interest which brings institutions in a state of conflict with each other.

Each institution works in complete isolation without following a national agenda and thus results in chaos and anarchy in the whole structure of governance and state's system. This situation not only hinders the prosperity and development of a state but also proves fatal for its potential ability to flourish by going to the length of devastating peace and progress of the state. This is the scenario which Pakistan has been facing as a hurdle in the way of a prosperous future. This is the whole picture which enables us to draw a conclusion about the role of four pillars of state holding them responsible for current ailing situation of Pakistan.

The statement can be justified by applying this whole scenario to the most vital issue Pakistan is facing today which is the menace of terrorism.
The roots of all other problems faced by Pakistan today originate from this single menace, some way or the other.

The way in which the issue of terrorism is handled to generate a counter response is the perfect example which depicts that these four pillars of state share equal proportion in aggravating the situation without anticipating and neutralizing the threat.

Despite unabated wave of terrorism, which has been hitting Pakistan for a long time,

legislature is unable to draft an effective law which can help other pillars to combat with this menace of terrorism.

Judicial system of Pakistan because of certain difficulties, complexities and hindrances has been unable to award exemplary punishment to a single terrorist.
Inability of legislature in drafting an effective law coupled with the inability of judicial system to award punishment to terrorists has resulted in a severe setback to the performance of executive machinery rendering them less effective to deal with the threat of advancement of militancy in the society.

Media's role should have been to unite the nation on this single issue, generate national consensus on national peace and security, neutralize the ethnic and violent sentiments by presenting the true ideology of Islam and Pakistan but unfortunately media did not play its due role in this war and continued to travel in its own direction without much contemplating about this grave national issue.

In this way the four pillars not only remained unsuccessful in discharging their individual duties but also the coordination between them aimed at salvation of the nation and national development ceased to exist. This situation hints at the complete failure of the state's machinery and refers to the collapse of the system which is responsible for keeping the state in line with the requirements of development and progress in this modern era. This failure of these institutions resulted in increased militancy, violence, terrorism and extremism in the society which critically ails Pakistan today and is proving a big hurdle in the future course of social progress and national development. The response and handling of one issue of terrorism by these four pillars of state, out of many others, is just one example which depicts their ineffective, non-coordinated and non-coherent response which portrays a dismal picture on the national front and holds them responsible for what ails Pakistan today.



It has been substantiated by the logical reasoning aided with the facts on ground that the current ailing situation of Pakistan is an outcome of dysfunctions of four pillars of state; however, it is difficult to ascertain whether their unfortunate performance is the sole result of circumstances that engulf them and in which they are to discharge their duties or they have some inside faults and mistakes which hinder them in coming out successful from this grim situation.

A careful exploration based upon rational analysis, balanced approach and just attitude will give equal proportion to both the sides of the opinion.

There are some obvious difficulties in the ways of these institutions which have barred them in justifying their role and participating to their full in the development and progress of the country.

Judiciary could not find itself liberated and independent rather it remained the victim of theory of necessity in the past.

Media struggled for its independence and faced sanctions on speaking the truth which severely checked its role and decreased its effectiveness in performing national duties.

Non directed legislature, absence of national consensus on core issues, nonexistence of national policy, absenteeism of established national targets and goals have put a limit on legislature and executive in terms of their national contributions.

Besides all these there are some other issues which have grown to the extent within these national institutions of Pakistan that they are proving fatal in their desired performance which include corruption, nepotism, self-centered goals, vested interests and irresponsible behaviors. The net result of all these factors witnessed by Pakistan is the situation which is being faced today. The judicial system of Pakistan has been unable to set up a system of social justice based upon equality of rights and respect for humanity. In the absence of an equitable social system of justice which is the backbone of any developed and civilized society Pakistan suffers from lack of interest of international community in building cooperation, trust, trade and investment relations.

The ineffective legislature and executive indicate the deteriorated condition of government machinery, infrastructure and institutions which not only proves ineligible to provide amenities of life to the people but also reflects a dark image of the nation on international level.

This inefficiency of legislature and executive is directly related to the ailing situation of Pakistan. Pakistani media does not seem to be in line with the interests of nation because of absence of effective regulatory media laws. It has not been able to justify its role of a watch dog and an educator in the society. Therefore the individual inabilities of the four pillars of state to cope up with the demands of modern challenges to the national integrity, peace and development have combined together to drag Pakistan to the point where the situation demands to struggle hard not only for coming out of crisis but also to maintain its independent existence .

In principle the importance of the role performed by these institutions surely makes them the four pillars of state and at the same time it also increases their responsibilities many folds.

The whole dependence of social development, national integrity and peaceful society on the efficient performance of these institutions in the light of national interests and objectives demand a high level of commitment, high degree of devotion and a high sense of responsibility towards fully participating in solving national issues and moving the nation on the road to development.

These institutions are interdependent in the sense that the outcomes of the actions and policies of a single institution directly or indirectly affect the efficiency of all other institutions.

If one performs well, it makes it easy for others to perform well but if one fails to discharge its duty it not only fails in its own task but also creates hindrances for the other institutions.

The worst case scenario arrives when all four institutions are failed to deliver what is expected from them and share their part in aggravating the situation on national level. The current ailing situation of Pakistan which is arrived by the malfunctioning of these institutions can only be reversed by these four pillars of state. It is the need of the hour that each of them should gauge the gravity of the situation to generate a suitable counter response and come up to the expectations of the nation for making this country a happy, prosperous and developed place in the light of the spirit of ideology of Pakistan.

Source ?

__________________
To succeed,look at things not as they are,but as they can be.:)