Democracy Hasn’t Failed, But Its Democrats Have.

By Awais Ali

Abraham Lincoln once said, _”You can fool all the people for some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”_ This quote captures the dilemma of modern democracies.

Francis Fukuyama’s proclamation of “The End of History” presented liberal democracy as the final form of government. From Plato and Aristotle to today, governance models have evolved, and democracy emerged as the cornerstone of development, peace, and equal rights. Post-WW2, the collapse of aristocracies and oligarchies further cemented democracy as the preferred system worldwide.

Yet for Pakistan, the question remains: Is it a failed democracy, or have its democrats failed it?

Pakistan was born on 14th August 1947 after immense sacrifices. However, 76 years later, we still grapple with corruption, poor education, poverty, and weak institutions. In _Why Nations Fail_, Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson argue that nations fail due to their leaders’ inability to build inclusive institutions. Pakistan is a case in point. Dynastic politics by a handful of families has created barriers for ordinary citizens to enter politics and bring real change. As Lord Shaftesbury warned in the 18th century, _”Liberty without virtue collapses.”_ Pakistan’s political elites have proven him right.

The statistics are bleak. Pakistan ranks 145 out of 146 in gender discrimination, 133 out of 180 in corruption according to Transparency International 2023, with a literacy rate of just 62% and 25.6% of the population living below the poverty line. The 20th century saw 3 constitutions, 4 wars, and 3 military coups. The political rivalry between PPP and PML-N led to repeated dissolutions of assemblies, culminating in the 1999 military takeover. The conflict between PM Benazir Bhutto and President Ghulam Ishaq Khan is another example of how personal power struggles derailed democracy.But the problem is not democracy itself. The problem is how it has been practiced.

As Jawaharlal Nehru said, _”Democracy is not just a form of government but a form of life.”_ A better democracy requires three pillars: education, women empowerment, and good governance.

History shows that nations rise through education – from Greece in the age of Aristotle to the US and China in the 21st century. Education creates awareness. In Pakistan, millions of children remain out of school, making it easier for elites to rule unchallenged. We must invest in education so citizens can vote consciously and hold leaders accountable.

Kofi Annan rightly said, _”There is no tool for development more effective than women’s education.”_ Countries like Rwanda, with the highest number of women in parliament, have reduced poverty and strengthened democracy. Pakistan cannot afford to sideline 50% of its population.

Louis Brandeis noted, _”The quality of democracy is judged by the quality of its governance.”_ Governance means transparency, accountability, and rule of law. Corruption is our biggest curse, as Quaid-e-Azam said. Despite NAB and FIA, accountability remains selective. Nations like Denmark and Singapore prove that “No corruption, more development.”

Pakistan’s democracy has not failed. Its democrats have. Yet the people of Pakistan remain resilient. We have survived wars, disasters, terrorism, and economic crises. Every new dawn brings hope. If we break the cycle of dynastic politics and invest in education, women, and institutions, democracy can deliver on its promise. Pakistan must stop mourning the past and start building a glorious future.The choice is ours: continue to be fooled, or become the people Lincoln believed could never be fooled all the time.