Research Student: Miss Samira Khan
Feudalism, Mullahs and Dictatorships:Nexus Against Democracy
Pakistan has a long, troubled relationship with democratic reform. The country's checkered political record has continuously undermined movements toward reform, as is evident from the fact that since 1985 no democratically elected government has been successful in completing its term of office. Even today, Pakistan’s political establishment is failing to fully embrace the essence and core values of democracy. This in turn has led to a rise in a ‘hollow democracy’ where the ideals of democracy appear to have been applied, but without fundamental acceptance or implementation in the governance of the state.
The central question to be addressed is why is Pakistan failing? What are the barriers that stand between a nation badly in need of a responsible government and a successfully implemented democracy?
My thesis will identify and examine these barriers, concentrating on three major areas: the role of feudalism, the influence of the religious establishment and the political legacy of the country's dictatorships. Of these issues, two are commonly overlooked in creating an account of Pakistani political instability: the existence of an exploitative feudal system distinct from the political "mainstream" where reform efforts have been focussed, and the immense economic power of the military and the religious mullahs. This thesis will examine the influence of these factors on the struggle for true democracy in Pakistan.
The research undertaken in this work will aim to use a systematic and empirical approach to explore the marriage of feudalism and the military, as well as the often contradictory role of the religious establishment, in creating an environment that is highly resistant to reform in a country already deeply divided by economic and social pressures. Ultimately, this work will demonstrate the real potential for democratic development Pakistan possesses should these three main barriers be broken down.