Friends, below is the proposal part. Pls comment or criticize.
Thanks.
WESTERN DEMOCRACY! PROPOSALS
In the light of earlier analysis, it could be said that developing countries are not getting right leadership from the current democratic system. Either people of these countries are electing wrong leaders or wrong leaders get elected by using their influence and power. Ultimately problem is with leadership.
Western democratic system is tried by all developing countries that were discussed earlier but it remains ineffective. Now a new system or some modification in this current system is indispensable to produce honest, selfless, sincere and able leadership.
What that new system should be? In political history diverse forms of government existed in countries that progressed and improved social conditions of their citizens.
With reference to Pakistan, let us evaluate the system that could suit best in our current situation. Monarchy, dictatorship, autocracy and Chinese communism in its totality could not be introduced in Pakistan for various reasons. An absolute replacement from current political system to a new one would be extremely difficult and also not feasible.
Most of the developed countries had some sort of socio-political restrictions for leaders and for common man during their flourishing period. Imposing similar sort of restrictions and barriers in todays world would be very difficult and unmanageable. Therefore the only alternative remain is to make some adjustments in current western democratic system according to our environment.
Common man in Pakistan is already under immense stress and has very little voice in society. Restricting them from already symbolic participation in political process would further increase their grievances.
Some sort of adjustments had to be made at leadership side. Restrictions and bindings through rules should be introduced for the ruling class. Restrictions on rulers would not be trouble-freely implemented but comparatively they would be easier to implement, would get popular support and would be more effective than other options.
New criteria could be set to become MNA, MPA, senator, president, prime minister, minister, advisor, CEC member of any political party, civil servant or armed forces personnel of higher grade. In addition to the existing criterion some more simple but strict restrictions or bindings could be added. This criterion must be forced for a period of at least 40-50 years and if by this period of time common man and political situation gets better, restrictions could be lifted gradually.
Proposed restrictions are furnished below. For conciseness the word ruler is used for all the posts mentioned above and with a male pronoun. Figures and numbers of values mentioned-below could be assessed and adjusted, if needed.
1. Limited Right of wealth: Ruler will have limited right of wealth and have to surrender his excess wealth if he wants to serve the nation. He would be allowed to keep a limited value of assets that could not exceed Rs. 35 million in total. This will be applicable to all rulers irrespective of his feudal, tribal, religious, military or capitalist background.
2. Moderate life style: Ruler must practice a moderate living standard. He will have to live in a non-luxurious house, not more than three-four bedrooms or 250 sq. yards or worth below Rs. 10 million. He could not live in any lavish house either belonging to his son, daughter, wife or anyone else. This restriction will also be observed after few years of resigning from politics, duration depends upon the post held.
3. Limited business ownership: Ruler can not own a business or hold shares in any business worth more than Rs. 20 million.
4. Moderate commuting/transport facilities: Ruler cannot use a vehicle more than 1300cc either owned by him, by state or by any other source. For traveling in rural or mountainous areas 1600cc vehicle would be allowed. Ruler cannot take first class for both international and domestic flights sponsored by anyone.
5. Surrender of excess wealth: Fifty percent of wealth that is excess to the allowed limit would be surrendered to government. Ruler will be allowed to award balance assets to his relatives or to anyone not from the ruling class. If he desires, a certain percentage could also be granted to his political party.
Above restrictions will eliminate common mans suspicions over sincerity of ruler and make them believe that he is not ruling for his personal gains.
If above criterion is implemented our society will definitely get honest and sincere leaders. Social freedom will enable common man to vote freely and assess the candidate on merit and not on any other basis.
Every leader and politician claims to be the messiah of common man with the same rhetoric Pakistan pay hamara tan man dhan qurban hay. By implementing these bindings rulers dont have to sacrifice life but only surrender their wealth and assets for Pakistan.
Few advantages / benefits of restrictions:
1. Common man will feel that rulers are amongst them.
2. Feudal system will breathe its last.
3. Corrupt and selfish politicians will leave the field for sincere politicians.
4. Ruler will be able to understand the problems faced by common man.
5. Wealth surrendered by ruler will increase the development resources of government.
6. Massive reduction in corruption will be observed.
7. Middle class, honest and able people will be able to contest elections.
8. It will reduce the influence of tribal lords and help in opening up those close societies.
9. Lack of political association of industrial and capitalist cults will make accountability possible.
10. Social structure will get better by time resulting improvement in economic conditions of poor. This will reduce the economic disparity.
11. Political backing of criminals will fizzle out by time enabling law enforcing agencies to work freely and crime rate will reduce significantly. Dacoits and criminals would be free from the influence of feudals, chaudhrys, maliks, nawabs, sardars, waderas, khans etc and they can seek amnesty from state to live a normal life.
Concerns over restrictions:
1. Limited right of wealth might discourage people to join politics at a later stage. Therefore gradual relaxation of rules after 40-50 years is proposed.
2. Initially there would be slight probability of lack of sharp leadership and bureaucracy may become more powerful than rulers. Bureaucracy maneuvers negatively with corrupt rulers because of their ills but cannot dictate honest rulers. If they find honest leader around them, a big number of bureaucrats will be willing to work positively.
Possibility to evade restrictions by technically dodging the system:
1. A dummy could be made MNA by any feudal or capitalist and remain in power indirectly. But it would be very rare as all current politicians can not be replaced by dummies.
2. To save wealth, ruler might transfer it to their sons, daughters or wife and family head himself continues to rule. This dodge would not work for them as such politicians cannot live their life in moderate style. They are used to live lavish life.
Common man will give full support to the leader if he sees his leaders selflessness not only in words but also in practice.
For example Mr. Asif Zardari and Mr. Nawaz Sharif living in a 250 sq yards house in Lahore or Karachi, wearing a moderate dress, commuting in a 1300cc car, owner of a general store and a bakery, with no sugar mill, no paper mill, no steel mill, no land and no palace in their name.
Above proposals need deliberations and should be refined by social and political scientists. Our intellectuals, scholars, thinkers and members of civil society should put their serious efforts in presenting and incorporating these proposals into our national political structure.
Thanks.
WESTERN DEMOCRACY! PROPOSALS
In the light of earlier analysis, it could be said that developing countries are not getting right leadership from the current democratic system. Either people of these countries are electing wrong leaders or wrong leaders get elected by using their influence and power. Ultimately problem is with leadership.
Western democratic system is tried by all developing countries that were discussed earlier but it remains ineffective. Now a new system or some modification in this current system is indispensable to produce honest, selfless, sincere and able leadership.
What that new system should be? In political history diverse forms of government existed in countries that progressed and improved social conditions of their citizens.
With reference to Pakistan, let us evaluate the system that could suit best in our current situation. Monarchy, dictatorship, autocracy and Chinese communism in its totality could not be introduced in Pakistan for various reasons. An absolute replacement from current political system to a new one would be extremely difficult and also not feasible.
Most of the developed countries had some sort of socio-political restrictions for leaders and for common man during their flourishing period. Imposing similar sort of restrictions and barriers in todays world would be very difficult and unmanageable. Therefore the only alternative remain is to make some adjustments in current western democratic system according to our environment.
Common man in Pakistan is already under immense stress and has very little voice in society. Restricting them from already symbolic participation in political process would further increase their grievances.
Some sort of adjustments had to be made at leadership side. Restrictions and bindings through rules should be introduced for the ruling class. Restrictions on rulers would not be trouble-freely implemented but comparatively they would be easier to implement, would get popular support and would be more effective than other options.
New criteria could be set to become MNA, MPA, senator, president, prime minister, minister, advisor, CEC member of any political party, civil servant or armed forces personnel of higher grade. In addition to the existing criterion some more simple but strict restrictions or bindings could be added. This criterion must be forced for a period of at least 40-50 years and if by this period of time common man and political situation gets better, restrictions could be lifted gradually.
Proposed restrictions are furnished below. For conciseness the word ruler is used for all the posts mentioned above and with a male pronoun. Figures and numbers of values mentioned-below could be assessed and adjusted, if needed.
1. Limited Right of wealth: Ruler will have limited right of wealth and have to surrender his excess wealth if he wants to serve the nation. He would be allowed to keep a limited value of assets that could not exceed Rs. 35 million in total. This will be applicable to all rulers irrespective of his feudal, tribal, religious, military or capitalist background.
2. Moderate life style: Ruler must practice a moderate living standard. He will have to live in a non-luxurious house, not more than three-four bedrooms or 250 sq. yards or worth below Rs. 10 million. He could not live in any lavish house either belonging to his son, daughter, wife or anyone else. This restriction will also be observed after few years of resigning from politics, duration depends upon the post held.
3. Limited business ownership: Ruler can not own a business or hold shares in any business worth more than Rs. 20 million.
4. Moderate commuting/transport facilities: Ruler cannot use a vehicle more than 1300cc either owned by him, by state or by any other source. For traveling in rural or mountainous areas 1600cc vehicle would be allowed. Ruler cannot take first class for both international and domestic flights sponsored by anyone.
5. Surrender of excess wealth: Fifty percent of wealth that is excess to the allowed limit would be surrendered to government. Ruler will be allowed to award balance assets to his relatives or to anyone not from the ruling class. If he desires, a certain percentage could also be granted to his political party.
Above restrictions will eliminate common mans suspicions over sincerity of ruler and make them believe that he is not ruling for his personal gains.
If above criterion is implemented our society will definitely get honest and sincere leaders. Social freedom will enable common man to vote freely and assess the candidate on merit and not on any other basis.
Every leader and politician claims to be the messiah of common man with the same rhetoric Pakistan pay hamara tan man dhan qurban hay. By implementing these bindings rulers dont have to sacrifice life but only surrender their wealth and assets for Pakistan.
Few advantages / benefits of restrictions:
1. Common man will feel that rulers are amongst them.
2. Feudal system will breathe its last.
3. Corrupt and selfish politicians will leave the field for sincere politicians.
4. Ruler will be able to understand the problems faced by common man.
5. Wealth surrendered by ruler will increase the development resources of government.
6. Massive reduction in corruption will be observed.
7. Middle class, honest and able people will be able to contest elections.
8. It will reduce the influence of tribal lords and help in opening up those close societies.
9. Lack of political association of industrial and capitalist cults will make accountability possible.
10. Social structure will get better by time resulting improvement in economic conditions of poor. This will reduce the economic disparity.
11. Political backing of criminals will fizzle out by time enabling law enforcing agencies to work freely and crime rate will reduce significantly. Dacoits and criminals would be free from the influence of feudals, chaudhrys, maliks, nawabs, sardars, waderas, khans etc and they can seek amnesty from state to live a normal life.
Concerns over restrictions:
1. Limited right of wealth might discourage people to join politics at a later stage. Therefore gradual relaxation of rules after 40-50 years is proposed.
2. Initially there would be slight probability of lack of sharp leadership and bureaucracy may become more powerful than rulers. Bureaucracy maneuvers negatively with corrupt rulers because of their ills but cannot dictate honest rulers. If they find honest leader around them, a big number of bureaucrats will be willing to work positively.
Possibility to evade restrictions by technically dodging the system:
1. A dummy could be made MNA by any feudal or capitalist and remain in power indirectly. But it would be very rare as all current politicians can not be replaced by dummies.
2. To save wealth, ruler might transfer it to their sons, daughters or wife and family head himself continues to rule. This dodge would not work for them as such politicians cannot live their life in moderate style. They are used to live lavish life.
Common man will give full support to the leader if he sees his leaders selflessness not only in words but also in practice.
For example Mr. Asif Zardari and Mr. Nawaz Sharif living in a 250 sq yards house in Lahore or Karachi, wearing a moderate dress, commuting in a 1300cc car, owner of a general store and a bakery, with no sugar mill, no paper mill, no steel mill, no land and no palace in their name.
Above proposals need deliberations and should be refined by social and political scientists. Our intellectuals, scholars, thinkers and members of civil society should put their serious efforts in presenting and incorporating these proposals into our national political structure.
