Causes of Failure of Democracy in Pakistan

Democr acy
70 Questions And Answers David Beetham Kevin Boyle

Introduction by Nikhil Chakravarty Cartoons by R.K. Laxman

This work was commissioned by UNESCO as part of its programme of education in democracy and human rights. It is appearing simultaneously in many languages. The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the country, territory, city or areas of its authorities, or the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The authors are responsible for the choice and the presentation of the facts contained in this book and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization.

UNIVERSAL

DECLARATION OF

HUMAN RIGHTS

ARTICLE 21 1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. 2. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country. 3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. Note: In the above Declaration ‘his’ is infected to include ‘his or her’, which is how it would be expressed today.

INTRODUCTION
Democracy as a means of managing civil society has a long and chequered history. Even recorded history like the early republics in our country or the Athenian democracy in Europe, shows one has to go back to more than two thousand years to find democratic institutions in some from or other flourishing in human society. As the sphere of human activity expanded and deepened in all direction, man’s vision enlarged and the urge for building the civil society spurred him towards democracy as it provides the widest participation of the common humanity not only in the...