Friends are requested to share views on below analysis with reference to Pakistan. Thanks


WESTERN DEMOCRACY! RIGHT PILL AT WRONG TIME?

If we look upon countries trying to advance which are generally called as ‘developing countries’, specially South Asian developing countries, we will find that since inception of these countries nothing at large has been improved. Big percentage of their population lives below poverty line. Food, drinking water, health, education, housing, nothing is adequately available to common people.

Since decades we are hearing that democracy is the only solution to these problems, uninterrupted democratic process will drain out dishonest politicians and socio-economic condition of common man will improve. All our thinkers, intellectuals and scholars have fed this in our minds since our childhood.

Some of developing countries have had continuous democracy in their history while some also had military interventions in between. One thing among these countries is common that all are obsessed upon forcing western democracy but their condition is still unchanged.

On the contrary, developed countries are reaping fruits from the same democratic system. Why our pudding is not as tasty as theirs? Why is the same medicine not helping us but affecting them?

‘Developing countries’ should evaluate themselves if this ‘Western Democracy’ is really the solution provider during developing stage of a nation or this is a pill that we should take on a later stage?

To evaluate, take examples of few South Asian countries namely Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. All these countries are passionate to be called as democratic states.

India had enjoyed more than sixty years of democracy; almost same is with Sri Lanka. Military interventions could be witnessed in the political history of Pakistan and Bangladesh. But all these countries share same pathetic social and economic conditions; corruption is at its peak, justice is scarce, clean drinking water is not available, children die from common diseases, literacy rate is lowest (except Sri Lanka) and basic necessities of life are not available to poor.

Upon analyzing we will find that during the developing period of western countries, this current form of democracy was not in place. Their leaders excluded common man from ruling class and even from voting class.

At that time, besides personal interests, rulers and social scientists might be of the view that if they allow common man to participate in decision making of the state or allow them to elect their leaders, common man will elect leaders on the basis of color, cast, religion, tribe, ethnicity and wealth instead of leader’s abilities.

Western rulers believed that common man does not have the aptitude to evaluate or elect competent rulers. At first common man was given education, made socially free and mentally strong to evaluate and elect their ruler. Evolution and development process of human resource and other social institutions was initiated and political system transformed gradually with the passage of time.

Few very brief historical facts could be furnished here.

1. Americans gave the right of vote to women after almost 150 years of country’s inception.

2. African Americans (Blacks) were given full rights to vote in 1965, almost after 190 years. Before that many statutes were made to block most African Americans and many poor whites from the right to vote. And that was the period when America flourished.

3. In England only wealthy property owners were given the right to vote. House of Commons and House of Lords still exist in England.

4. After 140 years, British women over 21 years of age were given that right to vote in 1928.

5. In Switzerland women gained the right to vote in February 1959.

6. In Australia Aboriginals were not allowed to vote until 1967, it took 66 years after independence.

Our neighboring, friendly and fast developing country China was a pure-communist state till 1982 and has 33 years of pure-communist history. Primarily their leaders improved the socio-economic conditions of people and political system started liberalizing with time. China gradually gave socio-political rights to citizens with various constitutional amendments but still they have not declared China a democratic republic.

There are other countries with monarch as rulers but socio-economic condition of people is far better than developing countries with long history of democracy.

Presently developing countries are almost in the same socio-political conditions as western countries were during their developing period. Obstacle in our progress is that we are trying to apply West’s PRESENT political system while our position is similar to their PAST. Are we trying to climb directly to second floor avoiding the first?

Either constant-democratic countries like India and Sri Lanka or episodic-democratic countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, our rulers come from the same feudal, tribal, ethnic, religious, military and wealthy families. Ability to lead the nation towards prosperity is not their selection criteria. Uneducated, unqualified and even criminals are elected because at present our common man does not have that capacity to evaluate nor have the social freedom to elect appropriate leaders.

Our intellectuals and socio-political analysts should re-examine and re-define our political system rationally with a clear head. This should be done keeping in view the ground realities and without obsession towards any political system.

There could be variety of views with various possible alternatives. A strict criterion for rulers with very strict restrictions over right of wealth and compulsory moderate living standard could be suggested enabling to drain out dishonest and artificial leaders. Or suspension of common man’s some political rights for a certain period of time till the society matures. A mixture of democracy, communism and socialism could also come out of intellectual deliberations.


WESTERN DEMOCRACY! PROPOSALS

In the light of earlier analysis, it could be said that developing countries are not getting right leadership from the current democratic system. Either people of these countries are electing wrong leaders or wrong leaders get elected by using their influence and power. Ultimately problem is with leadership.

Western democratic system is tried by all developing countries that were discussed earlier but it remains ineffective. Now a new system or some modification in this current system is indispensable to produce honest, selfless, sincere and able leadership.

What that new system should be? In political history diverse forms of government existed in countries that progressed and improved social conditions of their citizens.

With reference to Pakistan, let us evaluate the system that could suit best in our current situation. Monarchy, dictatorship, autocracy and Chinese communism in its totality could not be introduced in Pakistan for various reasons. An absolute replacement from current political system to a new one would be extremely difficult and also not feasible.

Most of the developed countries had some sort of socio-political restrictions for leaders and for common man during their flourishing period. Imposing similar sort of restrictions and barriers in today’s world would be very difficult and unmanageable. Therefore the only alternative remain is to make some adjustments in current western democratic system according to our environment.

Common man in Pakistan is already under immense stress and has very little voice in society. Restricting them from already symbolic participation in political process would further increase their grievances.

Some sort of adjustments had to be made at leadership side. Restrictions and bindings through rules should be introduced for the ruling class. Restrictions on rulers would not be trouble-freely implemented but comparatively they would be easier to implement, would get popular support and would be more effective than other options.

New criteria could be set to become MNA, MPA, senator, president, prime minister, minister, advisor, CEC member of any political party, civil servant or armed forces personnel of higher grade. In addition to the existing criterion some more simple but strict restrictions or bindings could be added. This criterion must be forced for a period of at least 40-50 years and if by this period of time common man and political situation gets better, restrictions could be lifted gradually.

Proposed restrictions are furnished below. For conciseness the word ‘ruler’ is used for all the posts mentioned above and with a male pronoun. Figures and numbers of values mentioned-below could be assessed and adjusted, if needed.

1. Limited Right of wealth: Ruler will have limited right of wealth and have to surrender his excess wealth if he wants to serve the nation. He would be allowed to keep a limited value of assets that could not exceed Rs. 35 million in total. This will be applicable to all rulers irrespective of his feudal, tribal, religious, military or capitalist background.

2. Moderate life style: Ruler must practice a moderate living standard. He will have to live in a non-luxurious house, not more than three-four bedrooms or 250 sq. yards or worth below Rs. 10 million. He could not live in any lavish house either belonging to his son, daughter, wife or anyone else. This restriction will also be observed after few years of resigning from politics, duration depends upon the post held.

3. Limited business ownership: Ruler can not own a business or hold shares in any business worth more than Rs. 20 million.

4. Moderate commuting/transport facilities: Ruler cannot use a vehicle more than 1300cc either owned by him, by state or by any other source. For traveling in rural or mountainous areas 1600cc vehicle would be allowed. Ruler cannot take first class for both international and domestic flights sponsored by anyone.

5. Surrender of excess wealth: Fifty percent of wealth that is excess to the allowed limit would be surrendered to government. Ruler will be allowed to award balance assets to his relatives or to anyone not from the ruling class. If he desires, a certain percentage could also be granted to his political party.

Above restrictions will eliminate common man’s suspicions over sincerity of ruler and make them believe that he is not ruling for his personal gains.

If above criterion is implemented our society will definitely get honest and sincere leaders. Social freedom will enable common man to vote freely and assess the candidate on merit and not on any other basis.

Every leader and politician claims to be the messiah of common man with the same rhetoric “Pakistan pay hamara tan man dhan qurban hay”. By implementing these bindings rulers don’t have to sacrifice life but only surrender their wealth and assets for Pakistan.

Few advantages / benefits of restrictions:

1. Common man will feel that rulers are amongst them.
2. Feudal system will breathe its last.
3. Corrupt and selfish politicians will leave the field for sincere politicians.
4. Ruler will be able to understand the problems faced by common man.
5. Wealth surrendered by ruler will increase the development resources of government.
6. Massive reduction in corruption will be observed.
7. Middle class, honest and able people will be able to contest elections.
8. It will reduce the influence of tribal lords and help in opening up those close societies.
9. Lack of political association of industrial and capitalist cults will make accountability possible.

10. Social structure will get better by time resulting improvement in economic conditions of poor. This will reduce the economic disparity.

11. Political backing of criminals will fizzle out by time enabling law enforcing agencies to work freely and crime rate will reduce significantly. Dacoits and criminals would be free from the influence of feudals, chaudhrys, maliks, nawabs, sardars, waderas, khans etc and they can seek amnesty from state to live a normal life.

Concerns over restrictions

1. Limited right of wealth might discourage people to join politics at a later stage. Therefore gradual relaxation of rules after 40-50 years is proposed.

2. Initially there would be slight probability of lack of sharp leadership and bureaucracy may become more powerful than rulers. Bureaucracy maneuvers negatively with corrupt rulers because of their ills but cannot dictate honest rulers. If they find honest leader around them, a big number of bureaucrats will be willing to work positively.

Possibility to evade restrictions by technically dodging the system

1. A dummy could be made MNA by any feudal or capitalist and remain in power indirectly. But it would be very rare as all current politicians can not be replaced by dummies.

2. To save wealth, ruler might transfer it to their sons, daughters or wife and family head himself continues to rule. This dodge would not work for them as such politicians cannot live their life in moderate style. They are used to live lavish life.

Common man will give full support to the leader if he sees his leader’s selflessness not only in words but also in practice.

For example Mr. Asif Zardari and Mr. Nawaz Sharif living in a 250 sq yards house in Lahore or Karachi, wearing a moderate dress, commuting in a 1300cc car, owner of a general store and a bakery, with no sugar mill, no paper mill, no steel mill, no land and no palace in their name.

Above proposals need deliberations and should be refined by social and political scientists. Our intellectuals, scholars, thinkers and members of civil society should put their serious efforts in presenting and incorporating these proposals into our national political structure.

Shahid Ali – Karachi – Pakistan

Watch Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNLad...e=channel_page

Yar koi comment karo, criticize karo...........................

@ shahid ali

thanx for sharing such valueable material.I was realy in need of such material.

Democracy is such form of govt in which common people use their skill and knowledge in state affairs.AS IBRAHAM LINCON give the world famouse definition of democracy that it is( GOVT OF THE PEOPLE<GOVT BY THE PEOPLE AND GOVT FOR THE PEOPLE.)
SO democracy is the the form of govt which can flourish and developed in educated,wealthy and wise people.As in developing countries the education level and economic condition is worse as compare to developed coutries thats why they fail to implement the democracy in true sense.
the future of the world and devoping countries realy lies in democracy.but in order to implement the western democracy in our country as well as in other developing coutries we should also follow the steps and stages through which the devloped coutries passed developing countries must
1; firstly educate the people of thier countries

2;Govts of developing countries should remove fuedal system from our country.by which the people come out from the bound of thier tribes and villeges.

3;Govt of developing countries should promote the feelings of nationalism instead of regionalism

4;Govts of developing countries should promote equal economic opportunities.

5;Govts of developing countries should eliminate injustice and fear in people.

@shahid

plz brother comment on this topic this is realy an interesting topic

@nazlili21. thanks for your post and also sorry that i missed your post earlier....

It sounds that you agree with my proposals. But till now i dont have the answer of one question ... In Pakistan who will do that?????

Friends, i would also love to have some comments opposing this theory.... One of Indian friends on siasat.pk discussed this with me... im sharing this with you.......

Regards


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Indian Friend said:
At present, Pakistan is busy with fixing its Democracy and by the time they fix it, there may be another General who will take over and these very same Politian’s will approve of him and join him.

This two and fore with Democracy can never give you way forward for progress. The Government can’t work for the people and at the end of it, it’s the poor people who get the side effects of non functional Government which leads to anarchy and chaos.

Good or bad, Democracy is the only way forward for the overall development of a Country and its people. Democracy gives people the right to self progress.

When institutions are strong, Country is strong, when Country is strong; people are healthy, which leads to progression in every aspect of lift.

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Shahid Ali said:
Jimpack said “Good or bad, Democracy is the only way forward for the overall development of a Country and its people. Democracy gives people the right to self progress.

When institutions are strong, Country is strong, when Country is strong; people are healthy, which leads to progression in every aspect of lift.”

These lines sound very good to the ears and also have value too. But looking at the practical implementation of democracy in our countries, a different picture is seen.

Let us have a look at the democratic leaders of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Srilanka.

PAKISTAN

Bhutto Family
-----------------
Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (Son of SNB)
Nusrat Bhutto (Wife of ZAB)
Benazir Bhutto (Daughter of ZAB)
Asif Ali Zardari (Husband of BB).
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (Son of AAZ & BB)

Sharif Family
----------------
Nawaz Sharif
Shahbaz Sharif (brother of NS)
Kulsoom Nawaz (Wife of NS)
Hassan Nawaz (Son of NS)
Hamza Shahbaz (Son of SS)
Capt. Safdar (Son in law of NS)

Chaudhry Family
---------------------
Ch. Zahoor Elahi
Ch. Shujaat Hussain (Son of ZE)
Ch. Pervez Elahi (Cousin of SH)
Ch. Wajahat Hussain (Brother of SH)
Ch. Monis Elahi (Son of PE)

INDIA

Gandhi Nehru family
--------------------------
Jawahar Lal Nehru
Kamala Nehru (Wife of JLN)
Indira Gandhi (Daughter of JLN)
Rajiv Gandhi (Son of IG)
Sonia Gandhi (Wife of Rajiv G)
Rahul Gandhi (Son of Rajiv & SG)


BANGLADESH

Mujibur Rehman Family
------------------------------
Shaikh Mujibur Rehman
Shaikh Hasina Wajid (Daughter of SMR)
Sajeeb Wajid (Son of SHW)

Ziaur Rehman Family
---------------------------
Ziaur Rehman
Khaleda Zia (Wife of ZR)
Tariq Rehman (Son of ZR & KZ)

SRILANKA

Bandaranaike-Kumaratunga Family
--------------------------------------------
Solomon Bandaranaike
Sirimavo Bandaranaike (Wife of SB)
Chandrika Kumaratunga (Daughter of SB)

Rajapaksa Family
----------------------
Don Alwin Rajapaksa
Mahinda Rajapaksa (Son of DAR)
Chamal Rajapaksa (Son of DAR)
Basil Rajapaksa (Son of DAR)

Senanayake Family
------------------------
Don Stephen Senanayake
Dudley Senanayake (Son of Don SS)
Rukman Senanayake (Son of DS)

We see that rulers come only from few wealthy and powerful elite families.

Only family members are entitled to lead political parties. If any other politician of party who they feel is coming closer to their status and gaining popularity he/she is thrown out of the party by various methods.

Leaders are declared life-time chairmen / presidents of their so-called ‘political parties’ and if party elections are mandatory by county’s law, a drama is arranged to elect the same leader.

One thinks, how all the leadership qualities come only into their families and only they are the saviors? What about other millions of people or even other politicians.

--------

Indian Friend said:
Apart from Nehru-Gandhi family in India, there are other democratic parties also that have ruled the Country and have done good job. In India now it is not very significant matter to be a Nehru or Gandhi to win election. People here judge the politician from the work they do and what is that they have done to make their particular constituency progressive.

If you have noted, in spite of Rahul Gandhi campaigning in Uttar Pardesh for so many days, Congress did not win majority of seats. They came fourth in the seats won from there.

There is lot of water that has gone under the bridge and now days it is not easy to win election just because your from some family. Family names does help but it just for a while and after that you have to show the performance.

Rahul Gandhi is doing lot of groundwork and goes all over the Country to know the things from grass root level. He is also getting ready to lead the Congress in the next General election and is front-runner to be next Prime Minister of India.

In India there are lots of new generations leaders that have come and people have voted for them.

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Shahid Ali said:
Dear Jimpack thanks for your valuable comments.

Indian National Congress of Gandhi Nehru family ruled India for more than 80% period since 1947 and still ruling.

With due respect I would say that you have endorsed my opinion by saying:

“Rahul Gandhi is doing lot of groundwork and goes all over the Country to know the things from grass root level. He is also getting ready to lead the Congress in the next General election and is front-runner to be next Prime Minister of India”.

These ruling families groom their kids to become future rulers. Party officials teach them all ins and outs of country’s politics. With these royal kids a team of loyal workers is attached for guidance. These kids are accompanied on various important visits abroad to learn and network with international friends……………..

In short they are taught like a prince of any monarch keeping in mind that they will be the future rulers of country.


In May 2004 Rahul Gandhi got Congress party ticket to contest elections. You definitely know India better than me. Please guide as I don’t find any other reason or qualification of Rahul Gandhi other than being the son of Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi to get party ticket. I am sure there must be hundreds of deserving workers for party ticket waiting for decades.

Sonia Gandhi became the president of Party after just 62 days of joining the party.

I was googling and found a related article. This will be of interest to Indian friends as well as Pakistani readers. Here is the link.

http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=150279

Lastly I will say that same situation persist in Pakistan. So don’t worry we are with you.

Hopefully in near future Prime Minister Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would be discussing bilateral issues between India and Pakistan. People of both counties would be standing in a queue to get a bucket of drinking water or ………………………………………………………. (ending here, post in getting too long. May God prove me wrong - Ameen)

Best Regards

@Shahid Ali

Bro I have given some thought to the whole concept of democracy's failure in a country like Pakistan and a system that would be feasible for a developing country like us. I couldn't help but agree with your suggestions though there are some issues relating to practical implementation of them as you pointed out some of them.

Dynastic politics has been a norm rather than exception in South Asia.
Our people have manifested over the years that they are not sagacious enough to elect a competent and sincere ruler. But then again when you see the candidates in an election rarely would you come across a person who qualifies as a philosopher king or a sincere leader. It has got to be someone from one of the big families in the concerned province.

In this scenario a benevolent dictatorship would sound best for us. A person with nobody to please and strong enough to assert his will and improve the lot of the people. The whole problem lies in how would that come into existence. I couldn't come up with a procedure for that so as much as I hate democracy I still have to go with the prevailing system with the modifications that you suggested.

Proper checks and balances resulting in an accountable system along with the radical eligibility criteria suggested by you can serve as a safeguard of rights of millions. The end of our accountability system should not be just prosecution but persecution. I believe reducing the term of a government to 2-2.5 years will result in early elections and allow people to change the government. This will keep governments in check and they will divert their attentions to ameliorating the lot of the people rather than making personal contacts with the 'friendly countries' a.k.a. US.

There is a lot that can be done if only will was there. A government respected in the eyes of the people will not be fearful of the Army.

God Bless Pakistan!!!

__________________
Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.
-Gandhi

aoa.
very good comments u people sharied but unfortuntly my english is week i cann't share such a words but i feel that pakistan democracy is best democracy wither forien countries but problem is this we are not using it in Good way if u used it then we automaticaly countrol our all crises for example once i saw a news in one country there 40 rich person potention in court that govt must take more taxes to control the economic problem if we also do like that then we will get a good result .
thanks
regard
salauddien mengal

__________________
Money won't buy happiness, but it will pay the salaries of a large research staff to study the problem.

in my lilliputian opinion ... i would agree with what Shahid has raised ...
i think his point is valid upto some extend ... Pakistan is not in a position to digest the pudding of Democracy as its sweet from its taste but not well for the health in the end ... we are not getting the desired results from this ... the only solution in my opinion is to change the system somewhat for the sake of people ...
because in my view "People are important, not the rules" ... if people are not getting what they deserve, why are we sticking to the same method. If we can change the system and thats good for the people, it would be better then running behind a red light of a car's back ....

@Shahid
Bro, fantastic thread on South Asian political system. You have analyzed the political system of Pakistan and provided some recommendations to improve the system. I think that we may have amalgamation of western democracy and bit Islamic rules. The first and foremost think which we must introduce and concentrate that is JUSTICE TO EVERYONE. Equal Justice will bring up new leaders. Why have we been having some elite families on our system? Why have been an episodic democratic nation? The answers, you will get from the case of former chief justice Mr. Muneer.
Briefly, real democracy can be achieved through only n only Justice. I see democracy in Pakistan as " Democracy is "far" the people, "OFF" the people and "BUY" the people. Pakistan needs a revolution from the middle class and the judiciary has to play a pivotal role in this regard. I was surprised to know that NRO, I call it Ganga Jal which will purify the sins and heinous crimes of our politicians. The day of of the revolution has to embrace us. We must be optimistic.

__________________
Try not to become a man of success but a man of value.