Daily Times

Across the world, political and corporate elites may rule, but these are the middle classes that determine the course of their societies and nations. Middle class is a vertical connection between the elite and people in the lower layer of the society, and is absolutely not about just a certain number of people that thrive within a peculiar stratum of income. This is not a lifestyle but rather an approach towards life that shapes the belief system of a nation, and is truly a powerful social force that creates domestic and international narratives that identify the nations globally. A stronger middle class means a stronger nation.

Simplistically speaking, it is in the very nature of the middle class to struggle incrementally harder in the economic sphere, and this contributes a tremendous amount of value into the social life. When the middle class grows, nation grows with it, and this becomes a constructive cycle that is sustained by the sweat, and in cases, blood of individuals from this stratum. Societies degenerate into chaos where the middle classes shrink in their influence, and this is what has happened to Pakistan.

Most in Pakistan correctly associate middle class to a certain degree of income, and a lifestyle. While elite busy them in ruling or misruling the political and economic spheres, the poor strive for survival.

Though in opposite directions, objectives of both these strata are narrowly focused and people there hardly ever deviate from their set courses. Whereas, the middle class has to be an aware stratum that not only is striving for survival, but also is worried about adding value to society in whichever way possible. Hence, not from the landed elite or business gentry, a larger number of entrepreneurs hail from this class across the world, and even with a tinge of their corporate interests, they keep contributing toward a common good of the human society.

Pakistan’s economy is taking a positive turn. In recent reports, the State Bank of Pakistan and the World Bank noted that the economic middle class has substantially grown in number. From a consumerism approach, the State Bank reported a combined increase of 22 percent in purchases of the comfort goods and services. While, the World Bank reported that the poverty rate that was at 69 percent in 2002 is now a mere 29 percent, and is decreasing. The economic middle class is now 40 percent of the total population ie 80 million people. This almost equals the total population of Germany.

But an economic upturn cannot be enough. Pakistan once had a thriving middle class that drove the “market of ideas.” It produced shapers of the grassroots society across Pakistan. The economy was not as promising as it seems today, but society was much more promising in comparison to what we have today. The society had the creative courage to differ with what the State narrowly dictated otherwise. People believed in the power of ideas. Now, most would believe in the ideas of power.

The state and society need to come together in reshaping the local narratives along the progressive and tolerant paradigms

Pakistan was struggling, but did that constructively and earned name in the comity of the nations. Society was much more open, and the urban populations tolerant. People generally took interest in their individual beliefs, and not the faiths of the others. Despite a relative dearth of economic opportunities, the society donned a modern middle class attitude.

The fatigue from the mindless and gory violence that is continuing for over 15 years, and the relative calm of the recent past offer a unique opportunity to help recreate a progressive middle class outlook of Pakistan. Not denying that the society grew massively intolerant over the past four decades, the economic middle class now is grappling with various ideas and narratives.

The state and society need to come together in reshaping the local narratives along the progressive and tolerant paradigms. Otherwise, economic upturn would only produce thick and filled wallets of people with thin and empty brains.

The latter is an ideal guinea pig for the obscurantist elements to politically market a violent renaissance by stroking ‘the enterprise of guilt’ that the unthinking rich usually have in abundance. Either we shape the shape now, or keep drifting for another four decades. The choice is clear.

The writer is a social entrepreneur and a student of Pakistan’s social and political challenges. Twitter: @mkw72