It is said that the word “Democracy” is a panacea of all ailments and democracy is applicable to every one and everywhere. Yet this elusive word means the same but has diverse effects in its application throughout the world as can be seen today.
Primitive societies, tribal cultures and backward nations who are today experiencing with a form of western democracy tend to be disillusioned and somehow can not achieve the same goals which the west has been able to achieve. This can be attributed to the fact that those who played and experimented with a democratic form of government over a prolonged period were able to bend all other state institutions to become subservient to the rule of law as ordained by a true democracy or by the norms of it.
Unfortunately in African countries and South Asian states, this experiment has still not attained its desired effects. Tribalism, feudal set ups, lawlessness, extreme poverty, lack of education, explosive population, and lack of awareness of basic rights are some of the predominant hurdles in the way of democracy. Mere adoption of a legislature and nomination of candidates through the ballot hardly ensures the selection of deserving people, who in most cases do not have the financial means to participate in elections.
Six decades of democratic experience in Pakistan has shown that the quality of elected leaders lack not only awareness but also morality. At a time when the fragile system is passing through a tough test, such leadership cannot withstand the rigors of problems faced by a nation. Due to this consistent vacuum of true leadership, democracy in Pakistan considered that tree which does not bear any fruit.
However, the intellectual class believes that the worst democracy is better than the best dictatorship. The solution to our present predicament is that instead of voting on the basis of party loyalties, we should be aiming at the proposed leader and its individual qualities of head and heart. Unless we opt to elect leaders of foresight, sagaciousness, and mettle character the experiment of democracy will not bear the desired results and will remain a distant dream.
