“No government is the best government,” these were the words of former US President Ronald Reagan. As a student in the eighties, such statements were music to the ears. For the first time after the Second World War, two elected leaders of the free word (Reagan and Thatcher) had conspired to weaken the state. Most regulatory frameworks were done away with. A new concept of free-market was introduced. Multinational Corporations (MNCs) had started to control the world economy. The mighty United Socialist Soviet Republic (USSR) collapsed; resulting in a unipolar globe. Uncontrolled capitalism had become the new order of the day. Unfortunately, the biggest casualty of this new realignment was the democratic order. The common good has become uncommon in the 21st century. For over 2000 years, democracy, with all its faults, has ensured a participative approach for the collective benefit of the society. Only the five Nordic Welfare States (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark) have been able to weather this storm against the democratic order. In most other cases, the states have caved into vested interests. Developing countries like Pakistan, with a colonial past, are severely disadvantaged to face this onslaught. A colonial state is not designed to serve the masses. They are treated as subjects, not customers who have the power of the vote. That is why constitution-making has always been an uphill task in such cases.
For over 2000 years, democracy, with all its faults, has ensured a participative approach for the collective benefit of the society. Only the five Nordic Welfare States (Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark) have been able to weather this storm against the democratic order
Democracy has been deliberately weakened in the land of the pure. A constitution is an agreement between the rulers and the ruled. Through an electoral process, the levers of state are entrusted to elected representatives. Despite all teething problems, the 1956 constitution moved Pakistan in the direction of a democratic republic. Its abrogation followed by the deplorable 1962 imposed document weakened the democratic order while strengthening the colonial state. The free and fair electrons of 1970 were a hallmark for democracy, which produced a very able legislature. As the levers of the state were in undemocratic hands, the system collapsed. The most popular leader of what was left of Pakistan, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (ZAB), took charge. He moved the long-lost republic in the direction of constitutional democracy. Since then, the unanimously-agreed-upon 1973 constitution keeps the Islamic Republic of Pakistan together.
While the first dictator abrogated the constitution in 1958, the two usurpers after the 1973 version tried to disfigure the document. Though the constitution has not been fully followed nor implemented, there is talk of a new version. To check the efficacy of any framework, it needs to be fully tested, which has not happened yet. Before any changes are incorporated, the constitution must be implemented in the letter and spirit. Recently, during the trial of General Pervez Musharraf under Article 6, an interesting situation emerged. If nothing else, it created an environment of restraint. ZAB was convinced that this article would put an end to adventurism, but there were two takeovers. Only after the trial of the usurper under this article constitutional requirement have started to be taken seriously.
To strengthen the state, democratic institutions need to be taken seriously. Political parties should introduce democracy at all levels to inculcate a culture of debate and discussion. First understanding, followed by working for the common good is required. Consensus-building and participation are essential. Data-based decision-making has to be practised to ensure accountability.
Unfortunately, democracy has been in decline in our times. The largest and oldest constitutional democracies are in trouble. In India, fundamentalists have taken over, who are now trying to change the constitution to exclude the minorities who have lived there for centuries. The US has always derived strength from the immigrants but now, their entry is being discouraged. Walls are being erected to keep them out. Economic strangulation has become the order of the day. US President Donald Trump is facing impeachment while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to quell street protests for his survival.
Mafias rule over the Islamic Republic to squander its resources and then manage to escape conviction. Their influence and penetration run very deep inside state institutions. The state is unable to investigate or convict the powerful through effective prosecution. Rule of law is only applied to the weak and the powerless. Elections alone cannot deliver democracy. The entire order needs to become democratic and equitable for the state institutions to gain strength. In the land of the pure, while we have succeeded in formulating a constitution, a framework is now required to hold credible elections for the rule of the ballot to prevail. Respect for the constitution needs to be ensured at all levels. State institutions must operate within constitutional boundaries. Those who violate them must be taken to task. For the future of our coming generations, a mother-like-state has to be developed, based on democratic foundations. The weakening of democracy will weaken the state, which is in no one’s interest. Together, we can all swim or sink. The common good has to become common again for humanity to progress. Hope must replace hopelessness for the brighter days ahead.
The writer is the former chairman of the Pakistan Science Foundation