Re: Sustained democracy is the only way to go
Trust me, democracy is not the be-all and end-all solution to all our problems. In addition, the current situation facing our country has no effective short-term solution either.
Some deem democracy to be a luxury. But what we are seeing now is enough to convince everyone, that this is what we certainly can not afford at all. While Mohtaram Zia ul Haq Shaheed blessed our country with heroine and Kalashnikov culture, Mushy uncle has gifted us with previously-unheard-of almost daily bomb blasts and assassination attempts at regular intervals.
We are talking about long term solutions. People resort to violence when they are disenfranchised. Right now, people don't believe their voices are heard or their opinions are valued. Democracy won't solve all problems (God knows how flawed our democracy is, at least in the beginning), but it gives people a chance (or hope) to flush out bad apples every now and then.
I was of the opinion once that Musharaf is better, hence he should stay. But this is a very short-term and extremely narrow-minded (if not pompous) thinking that is creating far bigger problems elsewhere in Pakistani society. It is pompous because it assumes that "I" know best. "I" think Musharraf is better, "I" think Musharraf is lesser eveil, so "I" think Musharraf should stay. This is wrong on multiple levels. Why should "my" opinion matter more than the guy next door? It essentially kicks out our entire nation from decision-making. This breeds a definite feeling of disenfranchisement. When people think that the only way they can make a statement is when they have a suicide belt around their chest, then its not a good sign. I don't care who wins the election. Really. Musharaf can win, for all I care. But we should now embark on a road to sustained democracy, where even the fringe elements have a feeling that they can communicate to the people and may be, if their message goes through, they have a chance. I don't believe you, me or select members of our so-called intelligensia (so-called educated Pakistanis) should be the only ones deciding who rules a country of 150 million people. Its the people who should decide. They will stumble, and they will make wrong choices - just as we all do when we are young and inexperienced. But eventually they will begin to get it right. It always happens. It will take time. Thats my whole point.
What we should have is a system where everyone participates in elections that are held every few years. Be it your usual PPP chor or your friendly neighborhood PML goon. Be it the maulana from Swat or be it the lefty from ANP. They all should get their message out and compete on equal footing. The ones who lose, still know that they can try 4 years later. The process should not stop. This is the only way our people can flush the crap out. All glories of economic superstardome aside, Pakistan is stumbling along in an extremely dangeorous and fatally explosive route.