(a) Democracy under civil
and military governments
Ayub‘s
Basic Democracies — Yakya‘s mishandling of democratic process Bhutto‘s refusal
to accept election results — Bhutto‘s despotic rule — Zia‘s phony Islam ization
— Elected governments of Benazir and Nawaz Sharif turned autocratic --
Musharraf’s coup.
(b) Factors that transform
democracy into dictatorship
Feudal
dominated society — Concentration of political and economic power in fewer
hands — Masses poor and illiterate — Lack choice in use of vote — Masters get
elected every time — A genuine democrat gets converted in environment of
feudalism — Awaited is a Leader who will usher in democracy
(c) Devolution Plan for
True Democracy
National
Accountability Bureau created to deal with high corruption to pave way for
advent of true democracy — National Reconstruction Bureau worked out a Plan for
devolution of power to grass root level — Success of the Plan debatable.
(d) Flaws of Devolution
Plan
Called
silent revolution — No big change — No political and economic empowerment of
people — System not part of Constitution — Short of funds — No independent
existence — Should promote 100% education and broad — based cottage industry at
lower levels
(e) Poverty, illiteracy
and democracy
Vicious
cycle of poverty, illiteracy and democracy& vice versa — Devolution Plan a
half — hearted attempt — Not much achieved — Feudals dominate — Only two tasks
should be assigned — Spread of education and promotion of small agro-based
cottage industry — Democracy may come through revolution.
(f’) Eradicate poverty
& abolish feudalism for true democracy
Rise
in per capita based on macro-economic progress not enough — May mean a few
becoming rich and many poor — Micro progress more essential to show prosperity
of masses — Otherwise social problems — Example Second Five Year Plan —
Prosperity of poor creates demand for education — Both lead to demand for
democracy.
Conclusion
India
abolished feudalism on Independence — Pakistan did not — India’s world rating
far higher than Pakistan — Made more progress than Pakistan — A leader of
substance to bring about democratic revolution — Otherwise universal education
and economic empowerment of people to achieve democracy.