Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences (RAMSS) Vol.

1, (1) 2018, 9-19

Causes of Democratization Failure in Pakistan: An Analysis

a Muhammad Adil , b Muhammad Umar
a
M. Phil Scholar, Institute of Social Sciences Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan Pakistan
Email: [email protected]
b
M.S.C Business Economics, School of Economics Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan Pakistan
Email: [email protected]

ARTICLE DETAILS ABSTRACT

History: This study analyzes the causes of democratization failure in Pakistan.
Accepted 29 Nov 2018 The data collected by questionnaire. The study's main objective is to
Available Online 31 Dec 2018 investigate the problems closely concerned with the collapse of
democracy and the prevalence in the country of democratic norms. The
Keywords: study finds that the Overall Quality of Democracy, Independence of
Democratization, Causes, Media, Belief in Political Parties, Presentation of an Independence
Pakistan Cabinet causes failure of Democracy in Pakistan. According to this, the
State, supporting parties, civil society, and youth must perform their
JEL Classification: positive role in engaging in a recreation of democracy to generate liberty
N15, N25 for institutional democratization in Pakistan confidently.

DOI: 10.47067/ramss.v1i1.4
© 2018 The authors. Published by SPCRD Global Publishing. This is an
open-access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial 4.0
Corresponding author's email address: [email protected]

1. Introduction
Pakistan has preferred the representative model of governance. Pakistan's planners
passionately advocated and stressed the political framework, contributing to Pakistan's perfect
government and politics. No doubt Pakistan has dreamed of a political structure amid all this. Yet the
State has sadly struggled to deliver on democratic commitments, including parliamentary autonomy,
equal, frequent and free elections, constitutional dominance, autonomous justice, law and order,
civilian armed forces power, political uncertainty, the protection of majorities and minorities, and
the democratic institutional culture and safety of all. The political structures have established culture
as a whole of democracy. Both metrics are connected to achieve healthy conditions for the
progressive democratic institutional framework.

"Government of the people, by the people, for the people."

'Lincoln' told about democracy that both aspects of government addressed in the single-line
statement. The government existed to the public and was chosen by the citizens. People. It is the

9
Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences (RAMSS) Vol. 1, (1) 2018, 9-19

primary and preliminary form of government that many citizens of our time admire. But that's not
the purest type of government currently. What about Democracy? Pakistan is one of the 167
countries that constitutionally ruled.

The framework of Pakistan is now a legislative form of government, but the earlier
constitutions, which date back to 1962, and 1956, have been presidential. The 1973 Framework,
which is enforced by parliamentary democracy, is essentially the updated version of 1973.

According to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah;

"Pakistan is built to improve the people who live there. People choose their leaders
individually, and the leader must meet people's expectations and work for this Mother country day
and night."1

The peoples were eager and struggling for a better form of government from Pakistan's start and
have chosen the best governance. But the fate of the people of Pakistan was miserable, and the
democracy could not survive for a long time.

2. Literature Review
Jonah Ban, Christopher Clary, and Brian Michipor have identified the effect of urbanization
on society and the volatility of Pakistan's political culture. He also refers to urbanization since the
institute has been de-railed and the psyche of anti-agency is fire. In his book "Democratic Change
and Protection in Pakistan," Shaun Gregory has identified as a trigger of deteriorating
interinstitutional cooperation the roots of institutional democracy, democratic transition, and
security concerns. Anas Malik has brought up the fact that the agencies are contrary to the
government. He led to the idea that independence and the state autocracy and structures are
essentially disputes. It is the rivalry between elected and unelected bodies in Pakistan, in other
words. In this article, he noted and clarified that the states are liable for policy and decision-making
and State agencies have technical strength for its execution.

The collaboration of institutions works would add to the stability of Pakistan's political-
cultural institutions." Sohail Mahmood has outlined the excellent change plan on democratization.
The principle of democratization was born of the expansion phase of globalization and the
knowledge revolution. This situation began after the communication phase of the Cold War and
breakdown. "The broader access to information had been healthy for democracy, which gains from a
better-informed citizenry and beneficial for development, scientific and professional collaboration
and many other activities. According to the'Arzaghi & Henderso' (2005), the cross-national study of
democracy principle showed that the local democracy principle is derived from the political elites
and did not produce by demand from below level. The logic of the local democracy principle is also
close to the idea of fiscal democratization explained by Kathleen O'Neil' (2005). He observed and
enlightened the national political parties' different attributes to fulfil their expected objectives in the
line of success. The argument leads to the situation where political groups expect to lose power or
authority at the national level. Here, the democratization idea took them to maintain the future hold
on power at the local level. Grindl (2000) also enlightened that decentralization imposed because of
the demand to restore institutional decay and crisis initiation legitimacy. Escobar Lemmo (2003)
also supported Grindle's idea that the officials from the lower-level areas and the low level of trust

1Malik, Anas. Political survival in Pakistan: Beyond ideology. Routledge, 2010.

10
Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences (RAMSS) Vol. 1, (1) 2018, 9-19

were more likely to execute decentralizing legislation. Pakistan's stability is directed to regional and
international security, but our policymakers have been successfully achieving it both domestically
and externally." In their book "The Triadic Politics & Persistent Political Uncertainty," the Chinese
artists have clarified that political instability continues to exist as a barrier to the democratization
phase.

3. Research Methodology
Empirical and background in nature is the planned research. The Descriptive & Qualitative
procedure, therefore, is used. They trigger both secondary and primary sources.

3.1 Sources for Data Collection

3.1.1 Primary Sources
For the study goals, some primary sources such as the writing and survey conductance. At
that moment, memoirs and publications of individuals and the institutions at the helm of affairs are
studied. Reported interviews of retired Pakistani officials have also been taken into account to
improve this study's efficiency.
Secondary Sources;
• Secondary data sources, such as books, journals, articles, magazines, and other
investigators' work, are also reviewed.
• Both these online and web sources, such as digital libraries, are used to achieve research
goals.

4. Quality of Democracy
Settled Democracy and stable Democracy consisted of six concepts, i.e. 'Democratic
Opposition, Devoted Opposition, Independence of the media, Consistent Administration, Unbiased
Judiciary or Civil Society.' Together, all of them provided a basis for scientists Liz '& Stephen's
theory, a restricted set, people-centered State.

"Robert A. Dahl also recommended the five principle criteria to measure the genuinely
democratic system."2
Inclusion All adults; residents must offer substantive citizenship rights (with
minimum exceptions).

Political Equality Each participant has an equal and productive opportunity to engage in
the decision-making process.

Progressive Every individual must have fair rights and opportunities to be alert to
understanding near strategies' results and effects (within reasonable limits).

Control of the Agenda The corporation grants the freedom to pick and place which subject or
issue in the people's program.

Effective Participation All must have a reasonable opportunity to voice their views on other
people before a plan is chosen.

2Dahl, Robert Alan.How democratic is the American constitution?.Yale University Press, 2003.

11
Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences (RAMSS) Vol. 1, (1) 2018, 9-19

Security Threats, War on Terror & Economic Crisis have affected all governance issues,
democratic State, and national unity. The political gap scale has generated historical and current
challenges, contributing to a more elaborate discussion on democracy.

Figure 1. "Assessment of the quality of the democracy in Pakistan."

4.1 Extremely unstable politics

Afterwards, the assassination of tow-strong politicians in the face of extreme political
turmoil, Pakistan has been facing the breakdown of democratic institutions, which contributed to a
shift from the Governor General's office to the bureaucratic elite's instrument. The bureaucracy has
controlled the democratic mechanism while the "political chaos established, and political structures
declined." As far as political structures' operations are concerned, the condition is more reverse after
the abrupt death and murder of two great leaders. They opposed democracy and recommended
legislative procedure, and performed a disruptive role in all daily sessions. They rejected political
structures. Continued fortification and horse trades became fluid in the political condition. The
persistent lack of democratic leadership prompted Ayub Khan to apply his political theories in the
Martial Law on October 07, 1958.

3.2 Democratic Indicators

"The PILDAT's assessment report regarding the assessment of the quality of democracy into
the institutions and state of Pakistan as well as providing the following nine major indicators
predicted by researchers."3 That is, (1) the overall democratic standard. (2) Independence of Media.
(3) Transfer of Power at the Provincial Level. (4) Effectiveness of the National Assembly. (5) Federal
Cabinet productivity. (6) Bureaucracy efficiency. (7) Civil Rights Admiration. (8) Dominance. (9) A

3Fair, C. Christine, Clay Ramsay, and Steven Kull."Pakistani Public Opinion on Democracy, Islamist Militancy, and Relations
with the US." (2008).

12
Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences (RAMSS) Vol. 1, (1) 2018, 9-19

political party's conviction. From above, the acceptance ratings calculated by PILDAT analysts
received 04 measures above 50 percent. (1) Overall political consistency. (2) Media sovereignty. (3)
The democratic party belief. (4) Freedom Cabinet submislow-scoringigh output validation diagram
contains 06 metrics that are optimistic for achieving the desired goals concerning the overall
democrpercentances;

Figure: 3 "PILDAT Quality Assessment Test Regarding Democracy in Pakistan"4

3.3 Indicators of poor performance:

Likewise, the 05 indicators reported as negatively affecting society's democratic development.
(1) National Assembly results. (2) Civil Rights High Opinion. (3) Regional level changes of forces. (4)
Dominance. (5) Bureaucracy efficiency. These metrics calculated as low scoring democratic appraisal
measures with a comparable output by the National Assembly and human rights compliance
reported in 2017 at 48 per cent. "Transfer of the power from top to the provincial level is recorded
47% for 2017. The State's Sovereignty is recorded 43% in 2017 along with a 33% score of the
bureaucracy's effectiveness in 2017."5

4Fair, C. Christine, Clay Ramsay, and Steven Kull."Pakistani Public Opinion on Democracy, Islamist Militancy, and Relations
with the US." (2008)
5Fair, C. Christine, Clay Ramsay, and Steven Kull."Pakistani Public Opinion on Democracy, Islamist Militancy, and Relations
with the US." (2008).

13
Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences (RAMSS) Vol. 1, (1) 2018, 9-19

SIndicator Explanation
Sr#
0Performance of See public views on the government's results and the National
1 National Assembly Assembly's effectiveness.

0Respect for Human Highly survey the public on human rights protection in the
2 Rights country.
0Transfers of Powers Refer to the public opinion of the shift of powers at the
3 at the Provincial provincial level from top to bottom, particularly after the 18th
Level constitutional amendment.

0Sovereignty See the reduction to stable sovereignty of foreign involvement by

4 the government.
0Effectiveness of the Respond to the public understanding and reputation of civil
5 Bureaucracy bureaucracy.

Figure 4 "PILDAT Quality Assessment Test Regarding Democracy in Pakistan"6

4. Data Analysis
Accumulatively, democratic institutions provided the overall democratic culture in society.
These indicators are connected to create high standards of a progressive democratic institutional
framework. The questioners replied by people from a particular field such as students, attorneys,

6Fair, C. Christine, Clay Ramsay, and Steven Kull."Pakistani Public Opinion on Democracy, Islamist Militancy, and Relations
with the US." (2008).

14
Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences (RAMSS) Vol. 1, (1) 2018, 9-19

legislators, professors, economists, scholars in policymaking, and many Punjab Province experts.
This data has provided Pakistan's people with a solid understanding of Pakistan's political problems
and linked to destabilizing democratic standards. The topic of democracy and structural
democratization in Pakistan's culture is as follows.

4.1 There's always democracy to be established/preserved.

Figure 6

The general scenario split into five, i.e., substantial compromises, neutral agreements,
disputes and strong disagreements. The figure above summarizes the reaction to the first public
comment. The statement that 86 per cent of citizens strongly support or agree on the topic that
'democracy must be founded but properly established' is addressed. Just 04 per cent disagreed with
the declaration.

4.2 Political Instability

Figure 7

Concerning political uncertainty, it does not allow the Pakistani institutions to triumph over
democracy. The total population of 85 percent was favorable to the argument that the country's
electoral mechanism positively affected the political party and its position.

15
Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences (RAMSS) Vol. 1, (1) 2018, 9-19

4.3 Constitutional Amendments

The argument that Constitutional Reforms (18th Amendment & 52-B) had a significant effect
on healthy democracy and its norms, 37% voiced a favorable opinion on the democracy in general,
with 11% strongly 26% agreeing. However, the query raised concerning constitutional changes was
just neutral to 28 percent of citizens.

Figure 10

22% of respondents disagreed with the issue on the other side. They say that constitutional
amendments did not overpower the development in the country in democratic values.

4.4 Institutional Democracy

The data showing that institutional democracy created a complete democratic culture were
strongly endorsed or approved by 71% of the population and that 24% of the people reacted
neutrally. However, 6% of the citizens were against the declaration and either disagreed or firmly
disagreed regarding the issue that democracy not only flourished in our community through the
institutions.

Figure 12

4.4 Bribery & Money laundering

The argument of Bribery & Money Trafficking has collectively prevented democracy from
prevailing inside our systemic community. Any 74% of the sample community addressed the
assertion in strong agreement or approval, as they expressed their concern for the mechanism of
institutionalization as the democratic concept process. 15% of the citizens were neutral to the

16
Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences (RAMSS) Vol. 1, (1) 2018, 9-19

assertion demanded at the same moment. On the other side, 11% of citizens disagreed. Institutional
players, particularly bureaucracy, are defeating the process of democratization.

Figure 13

4.5 Political corruption

Democratic manipulation as legislative legislation should be taken to upgrade the sector that
eventually supported them in financing their political campaigns. Sixty-six percent of the citizens
were squarely by this argument since parliamentary politicians compromised the democratic elites
and their stakeholders formed the existing corruption method.

Figure 14

4.6 Political parties played an essential role in creating a healthy democratic institutional
culture.
Political parties played an essential role in creating a healthy democratic institutional culture.
The argument about the political parties' contribution to Pakistan's democratization firmly agreed on
by 54 percent of the population. The above assertion was 29 percent neutral. Seventeen percent of
the country, on the other side, disagreed with the commitment of political groups to the electoral
process.

17
Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences (RAMSS) Vol. 1, (1) 2018, 9-19

Figure 15
5. Conclusion
Short analyzes show Pakistan's horrible political history. The most severe hurdles to fostering
parliamentary democratic Democracy in Pakistan are the autonomy of Parliament, independent
electoral commission, legislative superstructure, the absence of functional state institutions, the
abolition of civilian regimes, and an ineffective electoral mechanism, weak party framework, a lack
of law and order. Accordingly, accountability for a government agency, supporting groups, civil
society and youth in leisure has a crucial position to play since the recommendations likewise
decided to build independence for institutional democratization, which can be trusted and
considerably developed in Pakistan.

6. Recommendation
• Constitutional ascendancy & exercise should be guaranteed.
• To stop grumbling and fighting between the political groups, the Election Commission should
support a crystal-clear election procedure. Also, an inspection of the properties of candidates
should be declared for merit during the election process.
• In order to build an understanding of political values, aspirations and youth participation,
democracy has to be incorporated in all the school curricula.
• Law 2002 of the Political Party should be strictly applied to promote administrative structures
and acts of political parties.

References
http://www.youthparliament.org.pk/essay/Ali%20Iqbal.pdf
South Asia Institute at Columbia University http://www.sai.columbia.edu/outreach.html
S. Akbar Zaidi. Issues in Pakistan's Economy, Second Edition, Oxford University Press, -Karachi,
2005. Shuja Nawaz. Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within, Oxford
University Press, Karachi, 2008.
Papers on Institutions, NGOs, Gender and Local government (1999), and Issues in Pakistan's
Economy (2005).
Collapse of Parliamentary Democracy in Pakistan Author(s): Khalid Bin Sayeed Source: Middle East
Journal, Vol. 13, No. 4 (Autumn, 1959), pp. 389-406 Published by: Middle East Institute Stable
URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4323166
European Scientific Journal August 2014 /SPECIAL/ edition ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e - ISSN
1857- 7431
Hasan, Askari, Rizvi, The Politics in Pakistan 1947-1997, Sange-e-Meel Publications, Lahore, 2000,
pp.85-86.

18
Review of Applied Management and Social Sciences (RAMSS) Vol. 1, (1) 2018, 9-19

Samuel Huntington, The Solider and the State: The Theory and Politics of Civil Relations,
(Cambridge Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1957) pp. 7-8.
Veena Kukreja: Civil Relations in South Asia, New Delhi, California London, Sage Publications, 1991,
p.50.
Babar Sattar, A. Journey Back to Barrack? Civilian Relations in Pakistan. Paper prepared for the
State and Solider in Asia Conference, East West Centre, Honolulu, 1999, p.9.
Najam Rafique, Pakistan Army: Towards New Professionalism in Strategic Studies, Vol. XVI Autumn,
Winter 1993, p. 108
Juan Linz, Breakdown of Democratic Regime, p.45.
Siddiqa, Ayesha. Inside Pakistan's Economy (London: Pluto Press, 2007), p.297.
Riaz,Ali,Two Trends analyzing the Cause of Rule in Bangladesh: Bulletinof Concerned Astanholars.
Vol. 30. No. 1 (1998): p. p. 56-65ISSN 0007-4810,1998 BCAS (Oakland. California).
Bangladesh Today, International Crises Group. Asia Report No. 121, 23rd October 2006, p.3.
www.studymode.com/essays/political
Muniruzzaman, Talukder, Economic Crisis and political Polarization, Asian Survey, Vol. 15 No. 2. Feb
(1975) p. 118.
Euben, J, Peter, On Political Corruption, American Review, 36:1, Winter (1978), p. 103.
Samuel Huntington, The Soldier and the State: The Theory and Politics of Civil Relations, Cambridge
Massachusetts, Harvard University Press 1957, p.p. 1-15.
Mieder, Wolfgang. "" Government of the People, by the People, for the People": The Making and
Meaning of an American Proverb of Democracy." PROVERBIUM-COLUMBUS THEN
BURLINGTON- 20 (2003): 259-308.
AHMED, MANZOORUDDIN. "Democracy in Pakistan." (1964): 394-398.
Zaidi, S. Akbar. "Issues in Pakistan's economy." OUP Catalogue (2005).
Noonan, Jeff. Democratic society and human needs. Vol. 42. McGill-Queen's Press-MQUP, 2006.
VeenaKukreja: Civil Relations in South Asia, New Delhi, California London, Sage Publications, 1991,
p.50.
Khalid, Iram, and Muhammad Iqbal Roy. "Pakistan's Operations: the Counter terrorism Strategy
(2001-2013) Prospects and Implications." Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan 53, no. 2
(2016).
Blank, Jonah, Christopher Clary, and Brian Nichiporuk. Drivers of Long-Term Insecurity and
Instability in Pakistan: Urbanization. Rand Corporation, 2014.
Gregory, Shaun, ed. Democratic Transition and Security in Pakistan. Routledge, 2015.

19