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Flawed elections in Pakistan won’t result in political stability or economic recovery

14 1
31.01.2024

https://arab.news/mf42k

Elections in Pakistan are scheduled for February 8. Free and fair elections should serve as beacons of hope for political stability, paving the way for improving the investment climate and sparking economic revival. The transformative potential of democratic governance is immense. Conversely, flawed elections fundamentally undermine democratic governance and prospects of economic prosperity. The repercussions of electoral malpractice reverberate across society, weakening electoral institutions and impeding public participation, bringing the nation closer to a precipice with limited prospects of an economic turnaround.

In “Political Order and Political Decay,” Francis Fukuyama explores two forms of political decay: the decay of institutions and the decay of political accountability. The former refers to institutions’ inability to adapt to changing circumstances, while the latter concerns the erosion of mechanisms that hold leaders accountable to the broader populace. Electoral malpractice exacerbates both forms of political decay. When the governing elite manipulates electoral processes to maintain their grip on power, they undermine the legitimacy of democratic institutions. Fukuyama argues that these elites often form what he terms “patrimonial states,” where power is concentrated in the hands of a few ruling families or networks. In such systems, electoral malpractice serves as a tool for perpetuating the status quo, entrenching vested interests, and obstructing meaningful institutional reform.

Flawed elections........

© Arab News Pakistan


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