The Undemocratic Path toward Democracy?

Note: The argument in this post will axiomatically assume that democracy is liberal in nature, as illiberal democracy has no place in the international political scenario. The respective set of axioms is itself contestable and incoherent; however this would be explained separately in another post. 

Democracy requires a homogenous society, where each individual is wise & morally strong enough to make unbiased choices keeping in view the wider implications of his decisions in future. Homogenousity is the key, particularly at intellectual and ideological level as otherwise democracy can only divide a nation into many small ethnic, racial or sectarian fragments, and this happens in a violent fashion as witnessed in various placed in the world in last few decades. Another key ingredient is the economic stability, as otherwise economically deprived class is vulnerable enough to be manipulated. For details check Robert D. Kaplan 'Was democracy just a moment' published in The Atlantic, and later in his book ‘The Coming Anarchy’. Pakistan is just another case in point, where a technocratic government can better manage the state of the affairs of the country, suggests Kaplan.

Pakistan's social fabric, keeping in view its rural majority, is predominantly feudal & tribal in nature. The problem starts when the peasant class accepts every act of their land lords, without any discretion, even if that feudal steals their basic human rights. It has been the same since generations, as they haven't ever witnessed an alternative, or they know or trust anyone who could possibly be an alternative, as there is just one feudal and his heirs would most certainly replace him. The peasants are straight jacketed since generations, imagining for them to replace the feudal is unthinkable, sinful even when the same feudal also pose some religious authority (sic).

Education can perhaps change this, but who will educate the rural class? When the same feudal decides what to teach, or to teach them at all. This is the case since many generations which eventually makes the use of democracy, a means to reinforce the same feudal system, perhaps to institutionalize in the name of democracy. The mantra of the powerful to legitimize their every act subsequently becomes "whatever is happening is happening according to the majorities will"... The urban centers are no good as well, thanks to ethnic political gangs cum warlords there, the voters are given mercy only once they have casted their vote to the dominant party.

Over and above all this, in Baluchistan and Waziristan, separatist forces and/or proxy armies are creating a civil war kind of a scenario. In Karachi the politically backed armed groups/urban militias supersedes the strength of local police at least. Many analysts believe that it would not be wrong to assume Pakistan to be a state of war with foreign funded proxy armies in different rural and urban places operating in different capacities. In this kind of a war like situation, would the results of a fair election, assuming if it’s somehow made possible, be accepted by all anti-democratic (generally known as democratic) and anti-state forces operating within the country? The answer is perhaps obvious for anyone who has a holistic understanding of the state of the affairs of this country.

If democracy cannot work for Pakistan then what can. Kaplan suggests a technocratic government rather, which in his view would prepare ground for the implementation of the democracy, if it has been given enough time for such a colossal transformation. Some of the tasks which this technocratic government will prioritize would be: depoliticization and empowerment police & judiciary, cleansing them from corruption, to ensure the rule of law as it should be; The end to feudal system and ban all political parties or some with dark history or at least create a system to make them irrelevant (which is why the technocratic system of government is see dreadfully by current politicians); a comprehensive overhaul and reformation of the education system on war footings which could help raise the new generation with minds free from the influence feudal class, and free from all ethnic, racial or sectarian biases etc; market reforms to allow business community and entrepreneurs to work without fear of any mafia's and gangs etc. Continue doing so all this till it all become irreversible.

Technically it makes sense, as it an open secret known to most of educated Pakistanis particularly that majority of politicians do not have the moral authority to lead the nation, they prioritize self-interest over public interest, and have a corrupt track record. In this kind of a scenario, the suitability of a technocratic government, backed by SC and Armed forces, cannot be ruled out. As they say, that the path toward democracy isn't really democratic at all.

Author is an academic researcher, author, blogger, social entrepreneur, facilator, mentor and tweets @javaidomar