Democracy is a system of government in which people choose their leaders by voting. This system is based on the direct approval of the public. This method of government has been popular in the World for centuries. People elect their rulers for a specific term. These rulers are, in fact, public servants. If they serve them well for one term, they can be elected again.
History tells us that the system of democracy kept on working effectively in the city-states of early Greece even Before Christ. The Roman Republic was also democratic in spirit. Since then, this system has been regarded as the best system of government. At times, democracy was replaced by autocracy or dictatorship. But the ultimate victory went to democracy.
In Pakistan, democracy could not flourish for many reasons. The main reason is the early death of the Quaid-e-Azam. The architect of our homeland could not live long enough to set the country on the track of democracy. The people who followed him had their own interests. None of them was in favor of promoting democracy. It is evident from the fact that the first general elections were held in the Country as late as 1970.
The period from 1948 to 1970 was dominated by senseless politicians and selfish dictators. Democracy and dictatorship had been playing the hide-and-seek game. The elections of 1970 were also held by a military dictator, General Yahya Khan. Then, in 1971, the war broke out between Pakistan and India. This war caused the loss of East Pakistan. In the remaining part of Pakistan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto formed his government. This Assembly gave the nation the famous Constitution of 1973. In 1977, Bhutto's government was toppled by another military dictator, General Zia-ul-Haq. This period of dictatorship ended with Zia-ul-i aq's death in 1988.
From 1988 to 1999, four times general elections were held. But unfortunately, none Of the governments could complete its term. This was a tragedy. Anyhow, these Continuous elections proved a blessing in disguise. The nation realized the importance of the vote. PPP and PML(N) emerged as two main parties of the Country. A good trend was set. There was no intervention of the army so far. But, in 1999, the Pakistan army intervened again. General Perveiz Musharaf deposed Nawaz Sharif. Then the elections of 2002 brought back democracy to the country. After a very long time, this Assembly completed its term.
If we analyze the situation, we will come to know that there are many factors behind the failure of democracy in Pakistan. Unelected dictators are not alone to blame. Elected leaders also corrupted the situation. It is just the irony of fate that by democracy wife only mean elections. Actually it is not so. The elected members of the assemblies are usually big landlords or businessmen of top level. They are not the true representatives of the poor masses.
Their contacts with the people are only during the election days. This is why the public could not ever get any relief from the political governments. The solution of this problem lies in the political education of the masses. For this purpose, we will have to develop democratic ideology, This can be done by launching a programme of political education of the youth. In the Western countries, democracy is accepted as a political ideology. The syllabus is designed in such a way that it really enlightens the youth. it teaches them about their rights and duties. They learn to express their views without any restraint. They also learn to respect the rights of others. This attitude is called political literacy. Only by political literacy we can learn to make decisions by the majority vote.
Unfortunately, in Pakistan, there is little participation of the youth in the political process. Students' unions once provided an opportunity to the youth to get political literacy. But military dictators banned such valuable activities. The developed countries of the West are promoting such trends, while we are pushing the nation backward. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2004-2005, the literacy among the males is 66% whereas among the females it is 41%. In the presence of high literacy, no real progress can be made.
Education should be made compulsory for every citizen. This will open the doors of economic, social, Cultural, spiritual and political progress. Only the enlightened youth can carry on the system of true democracy. We must not forget the famous saying of Aristotle:
History tells us that the system of democracy kept on working effectively in the city-states of early Greece even Before Christ. The Roman Republic was also democratic in spirit. Since then, this system has been regarded as the best system of government. At times, democracy was replaced by autocracy or dictatorship. But the ultimate victory went to democracy.
In Pakistan, democracy could not flourish for many reasons. The main reason is the early death of the Quaid-e-Azam. The architect of our homeland could not live long enough to set the country on the track of democracy. The people who followed him had their own interests. None of them was in favor of promoting democracy. It is evident from the fact that the first general elections were held in the Country as late as 1970.
From 1988 to 1999, four times general elections were held. But unfortunately, none Of the governments could complete its term. This was a tragedy. Anyhow, these Continuous elections proved a blessing in disguise. The nation realized the importance of the vote. PPP and PML(N) emerged as two main parties of the Country. A good trend was set. There was no intervention of the army so far. But, in 1999, the Pakistan army intervened again. General Perveiz Musharaf deposed Nawaz Sharif. Then the elections of 2002 brought back democracy to the country. After a very long time, this Assembly completed its term.
If we analyze the situation, we will come to know that there are many factors behind the failure of democracy in Pakistan. Unelected dictators are not alone to blame. Elected leaders also corrupted the situation. It is just the irony of fate that by democracy wife only mean elections. Actually it is not so. The elected members of the assemblies are usually big landlords or businessmen of top level. They are not the true representatives of the poor masses.
Their contacts with the people are only during the election days. This is why the public could not ever get any relief from the political governments. The solution of this problem lies in the political education of the masses. For this purpose, we will have to develop democratic ideology, This can be done by launching a programme of political education of the youth. In the Western countries, democracy is accepted as a political ideology. The syllabus is designed in such a way that it really enlightens the youth. it teaches them about their rights and duties. They learn to express their views without any restraint. They also learn to respect the rights of others. This attitude is called political literacy. Only by political literacy we can learn to make decisions by the majority vote.
Unfortunately, in Pakistan, there is little participation of the youth in the political process. Students' unions once provided an opportunity to the youth to get political literacy. But military dictators banned such valuable activities. The developed countries of the West are promoting such trends, while we are pushing the nation backward. According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2004-2005, the literacy among the males is 66% whereas among the females it is 41%. In the presence of high literacy, no real progress can be made.
Education should be made compulsory for every citizen. This will open the doors of economic, social, Cultural, spiritual and political progress. Only the enlightened youth can carry on the system of true democracy. We must not forget the famous saying of Aristotle:
"The regimes and societies that do not educate their young men about politics are destined to perish gradually."We should act upon this golden word of advice. We should give political education to our youth. Only the young generation of the country can keep the democratic traditions alive. If we keep the candle burning, the darkness of dictatorship will not disturb us.
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