Comments on: On Democracy: Choices we have to make

By: Johann

Johann — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:21:54 +0000

Dear Saleem,
I donot agree with you. It is actually a ploy by westerners that as they are educated, they are fit for DEMOCRACY and we south asians are not being illiterate.
You are having democracy today not due to soem lawyers agitation but because of the common UNEDUCATED PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN braved everything including jedhadi bullets and ruling mafia and voted.
Normally in India also this so called educated make all noices as they command the media/press and power brokers but will not stand in line braving sun and rain and vote because they know they can control those who are elected. But then in India democracy is shining because of these UNEDUCATED ILLITERATES AND IT WILL SHINE IN PAKISTAN BECAUSE OF THEM.
I am posing a hypothetical question, even today why Musharaff is not removed why? Because he has solid backing of Army. He can very easily reimpose the martial law and no lawyer or educated will venture out AND FIGHT THE ARMY. But it is the might of uneducated WHICH HE FEARS and not the educated.

By: Asim

Asim — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:26:43 +0000

Saleem, many thanks for all your support and kind words, But it is that task of organising ourselves as a cohesive force in Pakistan to shape the way we think, the way we act…

By: Saleem Khan

Saleem Khan — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:09:08 +0000

Why Democracy is or Isn’t the Best Method for Every Country
By Can Tran,

Can each country have a democracy? That’s a pandora’s box right there.

Democracy is freedom of choice. But the term “freedom” is very vague yet can be very broad at the same time. It is possible to implement democracy in every country. Keep in mind one country’s version of democracy will differ from another country’s version of democracy. For example American democracy isn’t going to work on most countries. I remember in my Spanish class back in 2002-2003, there was this one man who’s a grandfather who happened to be a former United States Naval Officer that had fought in the Vietnam War.

At the same time, the man is politically active. He explained to us that it’s possible to implement democracy to other countries. In order to do so, you have to take in consideration and factor in their traditions and customs. Customs and traditions will differ from one country to another. Such as one state to another in the USA. You can impose one brand of democracy on another country. If you do that, you’re going to violate a bunch of customs and traditions. In response, the people are going to rebel.

My US history professor also added this, in order to have democracy, you have to educate people. Doesn’t necessarily mean you need schools and colleges. Basically use whatever feasible means to populate the people on democracy. The United States was lacking among those two important aspects in bringing “democracy” to Afghanistan and Iraq. The rise of civil war, strife, and insurgency isn’t helping much either. Because of the failure of considering customs and the need to educate, look at what’s going on in Iraq.

Whenever you bring “democracy”, you have to educate people. If you don’t, the “democracy” is going to fall apart. But that’s just the first stepping stone in order to secure democracy. Remember that rulers and politicians are people like you and I. We’re all fallible in one way or another. That includes being fallible to corruption and bribery.

By: Saleem Khan

Saleem Khan — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:03:40 +0000

Its really very nice article to read. Nice and good efforts. Keep it up.

By: Asim

Asim — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:52:36 +0000

Thanks Imran,Johann and Aftab

By: Imran

Imran — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:17:27 +0000

An article which is out of routine. Great thoughts.

By: Aftab S. Alam

Aftab S. Alam — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:35:55 +0000

Asim, it’s a great pleasure to be allowed an insight in a thinking mind like yours. It enriches my person greatly and enlightens my own thoughts profoundly and, it goes without saying, I am grateful to you for sharing your thoughts here.

Blessings.

By: Asim

Asim — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:11:11 +0000

Hey Aftab,
I completely agree that there is no need for us to ” reinvent the wheel”.It was only there to highlight from its historical perspective…Yes we must learn from the past and history, if we are smart people…I completely agree.

Thanks for your comments

By: Aftab S. Alam

Aftab S. Alam — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:21:21 +0000

Asim, you have raised and criticised lots of valid points and reasons for our failure so far. I sincerely apprecaite your diagnosis and recommendations. In my opinion, what is an absolute must for any systm of government, including democracy, to succeed is a total commitment by all the public servants (elected and unelected) to PUBLIC SERVICE. Lack of this commitment is the main obstacle.

One more point. You mentioned that it took the Western democracies 500 years to reach where it is now. Agree with, however, must we “reinvent the wheel” ? Is it not true that smart people learn from the mistakes of others? Must we make the same mistakes and must we also pay such heavey price for our aspirations to be realized?