State institutions need time to establish a more progressive approach
“Progressivism” in politics can be considered as a moving, evolving process – an idea of making things better in order to bring prosperity to the country; however, this does not seem to be on the agenda of our leading political parties.
Progressive politics entails social justice, improvement in the education sector, health services, and intends to reduce the economic wage gap.
This ideology is different from liberalism and conservatism in the sense that the former is related to freedom, promoting tolerant attitude towards the choice of lifestyle and moral issues, while the latter focuses on maintaining fundamental values.
Under democracy, the public has the liberty to choose a leadership and change it if it does not perform well.
However, factors like high illiteracy rate and strong association with cultural values lead people to elect the same leaders time and time again, despite being aware of their utter incompetence and lack of credibility of the political leadership.
The progressive ideas promoting women empowerment, tolerance towards minorities, improving the quality of education, and sustaining the environment are not a part of the manifesto of any political party in the country.
The reason behind the failed coup in Turkey proved that the citizens were satisfied with the progress that the country was making in foreign relations, tourism sector, education, and health services.
The citizens may not agree with the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on several policies, however, they are aware of the mega economy that developed under his rule and the steps that were taken to eradicate corruption.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) seems to believe improving the infrastructure is going to solve all the problems in a poverty-stricken Pakistan.
In recent statements, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif claimed that the country had progressed in all sectors under the tenure of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The leading opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) intends to overthrow a democratically elected party claiming that the elections were rigged and the PM Nawaz is ineligible for his position after being exposed for financial fraud in Panama Leaks.
The ruling party reiterates that the opposition’s threat to solve Panama Leaks issue through street protests is a direct threat to democracy.
PML-N has exploited democracy using it as a shield to protect their leader from charges of corruption, fraud and hiding financial assets abroad that were acquired using income generated from the tax-payers’ money.
On the other hand, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) refuses to reconcile with PML-N over corruption issue but it has stayed away from the calls of street protests against the government – in the name of democracy.
“The party will continue to ‘protect’ democracy and will not become a part of any plan that harms the democratic system of the country,” said PPP Leader Qamar Zaman Kaira while talking to DNA.
PPP aims to ‘reorganise’ until the next elections, hence, they oppose overthrowing the government for the sake of democracy.
The public has grown tiresome of watching the political parties invest in their self-interests and ignore the calls for improving the standard of living and also tackling the problem of increase in religious extremism in the country.
“An ordinary person belonging to a lower class or living in a rural area is not concerned with pros and cons of democracy, military rule, and evils of dictatorship,” said Ayaz Amir, a columnist and a senior politician, while talking to DNA.
“Citizens belonging to the middle class or to a profession are the ones who are affected by democracy or despotism,” said Amir.
The public or democratic institutions that have strengthened under the transition of democracy from one government to another are elections committee, parliament, and political parties.
“Journalists, lawyers and political parties are the ones who benefit under egalitarianism,” said Amir.
“The political parties in our country are conservative and cannot differentiate between liberalism and progressivism,” Amir added.
‘Elective despotism’ only addresses the narrow interests and personal agendas of the political parties even if it might be against the rights of other citizens.
The essence of democracy has been lost since there is no focus on legislations and progressive politics.
Proceedings of parliament and the number of laws that have been passed to benefit the public can help to assess the advantages to public policy under democratic rule.
Pakistan’s civil and military bureaucracies cannot counter the disadvantages that come with lack of political accountability.
Despite decreasing popularity of our leaders and a loss of financial integrity, the public does not take a stand against corruption.
For democracy to be effective and result in a strong political system, the citizens have to remain dedicated to the progressive movement.
Progressive politics should be the main objective of the democratic elected political party as it is the most effective option for modern societies because conservative or liberal alternatives cannot provide the outcomes that prompt improvement in the education sector and economic stability.
The state institutions need time to establish a more progressive approach and improve their operations to focus on issues that are counter-productive towards political stability, prosperity, and economic growth.
