As the news are, USA is trying to forge an alliance between Musharaf and Benazir Bhuto. We know that Musharaf represents the military, which is a bureaucracy of the colonial era. Benazir on the other hand represents the feudal class that has dominated the aggrarian social order of that region for centuries. These were the two institutions through which West maintained its imperial control over its colonies. One other institution which the West used to maintain hold over the masess of the colonies was the traditional clerical class of Mullahs, peer wa Mashaikh, etc.
It is highly likely that in future an alliance come into being between Musharaf or Army, Benazir, and Mulana Fazlur Rahman type people.
West somehow feels that the old social order of the Muslim world centered around religio-feudal relations has collapsed resulting in the emergence of urban classes and movemens aspiring for greater share in political power and trying to grab that power through revolutionary measures.
Probably West percieves it to be a threat to its interests.
An alliance between colonial bureaucracies, feudals, and clergy may best serve the interests of the West at this juncture, slowing down the speed of social change in the Muslim world and so pre-empting its political implications e.g. the voilent overthrow of pro-West govt and institutions in Muslim countries.
Re: Is America trying to re-instate the soco-poltical order of colonial era?
Nope. They are merely doing what they have done for the past 60 years. Install leaders who serve their national interests and not the interests of the countries they represent.
The list is long and infamous. Musharraf is one of the lower level figures.
Re: Is America trying to re-instate the soco-poltical order of colonial era?
This quasi democratic setup will be very dangerous, detract the actual democracy, may lead to more Jehadi culutre which is very active inside of Pakistan. In real democracy there is no role of military in politics.
Re: Is America trying to re-instate the soco-poltical order of colonial era?
Farid you are right....West probably is trying to manage the "situation on ground"...This is how they have been managing the things in the past...Remember when West patronized Islaimc jehad in order to counter the communist threat, they didn't take its long-run implications into account...
Re: Is America trying to re-instate the soco-poltical order of colonial era?
LOD,
This is not the problem of West so they okay such arrangements for immediate gains with least expense. The sufferers are Pakis, it was/is the responsibility of who so over ruling the country to think million times before indulging in such ugly projects (e.g. Afghanistan adventure, war against terrorism, would be joint venture Mush, BB and Fazlu).
Generals mostly look for $s, how they are comming is non of their concern, they only want to see $s at the expense of democracy and rule of law.
$s and friendship with West is very much important but not at the cost of people of Pakistan. May Allah put this in the mind set of the rulers.
Re: Is America trying to re-instate the soco-poltical order of colonial era?
This quasi democratic setup will be very dangerous, detract the actual democracy, may lead to more Jehadi culutre which is very active inside of Pakistan. In real democracy there is no role of military in politics.
Very true, but I think things are changing now. Army knows that it used to be an institution that was respected and much loved, and now its the single most hated institution in the country. In future, I hope, they will think twice before getting involve in politics.
Re: Is America trying to re-instate the soco-poltical order of colonial era?
Military was hated much more after 1971, it as also hated during the last days of ayub period, and it was loathed during zia's period. just like ppl have short memories and want to welcome back corrupt politicians, they will keep welcoming military back if the civilian leaders keep acting like cazrs and emperors.
And military leaders also act like emperors banishing their political opponents into exile. Guess who else used to do that? Yep, the Roman emperors.
Re: Is America trying to re-instate the soco-poltical order of colonial era?
It seems Pakistan would be ruled by by the oligarchy for forseeble future...Masses of Muslim countries are caught between the devils...they are the ultimate victoms...West, dictators/fuedals, and clergy..
Re: Is America trying to re-instate the soco-poltical order of colonial era?
LOD,
That is a complete transformation of the country in to a banana republic or further distintegration. Quaid did not think that this country would be transformed like that, perhaps he would never have started movement of sepration had he known that his Pakistan would be transformed to present day Pakistan after 60 years.
Re: Is America trying to re-instate the soco-poltical order of colonial era?
Following is something relevant to the present discussion.
“The leader of Sadat’s assassins, Bin Laden’s chief ideologue, and a leading American neoconservative supporter of Israel all call for a revolutionary transformation of the Middle East. However**, the United States, the existing Arab regimes, and the traditional Sunni clerical establishments all share an interest in avoiding instability and revolution”**
Is US doing the same thing in Pakistan…Army, the feudal classes with proverbial loyalty to the West, and the traditional clergy in order to pre-empt revolutionary, anti-west political changes.