Democracy Index

Pakistan in terms of democratic conduct and representative institutions has taken a backseat, and its ranking on the global index has plummeted. A well-researched report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) classified Pakistan as an authoritarian state, and it is unfortunate to learn that it has taken a dip even from the castigated status of previously being a hybrid state. The indicators that led to this dismal rating were obvious as the country is seen gradually plunging in chaos, and the benchmarks of governance and rule of law are on the downslide. This is why, perhaps, the report painted a bleak outlook on the electoral process, and was spotted for having the biggest regression in the Asian region with its score falling to 3.25.

This drop in classification panel should come as a point of concern, and the stakeholders and the people must indulge in introspection. It is worrisome for the world’s fifth largest democracy that it could not even compete with Angola, which was upgraded from being autocratic to hybrid. Moreover, Greece that had witnessed the greatest financial crisis a decade ago has risen as a full democracy. But for us the only consolation is that India too is in hot waters and has been called as a flawed democracy, obviously for its role in marginalising and victimising the minorities. But Delhi got the credit for, at least, holding fair elections that “allow for the possibility of change”. This is where struggling democracies must take a lesson or two to make their electioneering machinery foolproof, and allow freedom of association and speech. Likewise, it is no surprise that North Korea, Myanmar and Afghanistan are at the rock bottom of dysfunctional and dictatorial states.

The EIU noted with concern, nonetheless, that democratic standards have fallen in the outgoing year, and some of the reasons behind it are wars, authoritarian crackdowns and the declining levels of trust in mainstream political parties. This comes as a white paper for the sovereign states of the world to do some instant auto-correction and not to be swayed away with temptations.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2024.

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