Tayyab Wazir

(1626-BH-PS-14)

Year III (2014-18)

Q#1: The concept of Political Development

Before going to explain the concept of political development, let me, to say something about the
word development. Development means “change in anything or system”. Change can be used,
both in positive and negative senses. We know that system has fluctuating boundaries and
different things can affect it.

Political development simply mean change occur in a political system. Change can be in its
structures and also in functions. What system has achieved and lost while going through different
stages are included in political development. Political system has gone through many
developmental processes. It evolved from the simplest one to primitive and, from traditional to
modern. The whole evolutionary process can be coined as political development.

There are many parameters and yardsticks upon which political change or development can be
judged. These include

Structural stratification and functional specialization

Democratization

Political culture

Political stability

Sustainability of system

In a high developed system, there are roles and structures specialized in their functions. Roles
make structures and, in return, structures give birth to system. In undeveloped systems, the
structures are highly diffused.
But there are other factors which cannot be neglected while analyzing political system and its
development. The most important among them is the secularization of institutions. Nations like
USA and Britain, the most developed countries have inclusive institutions. Everyone there can
easily ask their institutions about their basic rights and liberties. Institutions there, uses the
resources extracted for the welfare of the people. They provide all day to day needs and facilities.
On the other hand, the underdeveloped countries have extractive institutions. Their leaders are
unable to share their powers with the others. They extract resources in the form of taxes and use
it for personal interests rather than for the benefits of masses.

While concluding, one can say that if someone wants to analyze political development of any
system, along with other parameters, one has to study the institutions whether they are too much
inclusive or extractive. Inclusive institutions work for the betterment of people while through
extractive institutions, the system exploit the citizens.
Parameters of Political development

Political development cannot be judged while keeping in mind few hard and fast rules or
parameters. It cannot be analyzed only on macro level. Micro level developments have a huge
importance for the maintenance and capability of a system. There are different yardsticks which
can help us while analyzing political development. They are the following

Defense

Economy and growth

Foreign reserves

Borders security

Environment

Structural stratification and functional specialization of the system

Mass participation

Energy

Education system

Health facilities

Per capita income

Gender equality

Poverty and infrastructure

The above mentioned parameters can be used when we analyze political development. On the
basis of these yardsticks, we divide called systems as, developed, developing, underdeveloped
and undeveloped. In the developed systems, the structures are highly specialized in its functions.
Their political culture is participant in nature .People generally know about the system. They
have all the three orientations about the system. Poverty is low in the developed nations with
high per capita income. Literacy rate is too much high with no gender discrimination in
educational system. While other those, which come under the category of underdeveloped,
developing and undeveloped, are lacking in some of the above listed parameters.

To analyze Pakistan while keeping all the yardstick of political development

Low Literacy rate

Education is the key to success. It’s the basic agent that gives the system roles and structures. It
has a pivotal role in the development of any nation. Unfortunately, Pakistan has a low literacy
rate. She is unable to remove the basic flows from the education system which has affected the
whole system.

Energy crisis

No doubt, factories and industries are totally dependable on energy sector. Every nation is trying
her level best to produce too much energy which can fulfill the demands but, Pakistan failed
miserably to counter energy crisis. Today, load shedding is the basic problem of the country with
no alternatives.

Peace and security

The most important among other parameters which contribute a lot to the development is the
peace and stability. Terrorism has affected Pakistan both economically and politically. Peace and
stability disrupted due to it. Instability is a barrier restraining the nation from development.

Economy

One can say that, if political stability is the king then, economic stability is the prince. Economy
is the most important contributor towards development. Since its dependence, Pakistan has a
poor economy. It has many ups and downs due to the mismanagement, flows in the system and
corruption.

Political culture

The political culture means the attitudes and orientations of the citizens towards politics. The
political culture of Pakistan is parochial, where the people are unaware of the system. They are
of the opinion that our views don’t matter. The political participation is low.
Secularization of Institutions

Secularization means the ability to use rationality in decisions and policy making. Unfortunately,
in Pakistan, the institutions are greatly under the influence of different forces of the society. The
system is not that much secular where one can use his or her intellect.

Suggestions for Pakistan

Being the true and loyal citizen of Pakistan, I would suggest few things which will help the
nation to remove all the barriers, coming in the way of development.

Minimization of trust deficit

There is a huge gap among different structures and institutions which affecting the nation not
only at domestic level but also at international level. Civil and military nexus over various issues
are creating problems for the country. There is lack of understanding between executive and
legislature. They failed to adopt and implement policies with mutual cooperation. We need to
minimize the trust deficit as soon as possible. Understanding and high level of trust can make the
nation more prosperous.
Education system

One can say that today’s era is of science and technology. Education can play a pivotal role in
shaping and reshaping the minds of children and youth. Pakistan needs to give special attention
to the system of education. Pakistan’s education system is producing nothing more than degree
holders which have no proper training and skills to plat their roles for the development of the
country. This nation needs secular institutions that can provoke rational thinking among the
people.

Political Culture

Pakistan needs to develop the orientations of the masses properly. The nation must give the
powers in the hands of the common men in order to construct positive attitudes not only towards
politics but to make them loyal citizens. Subjective political culture should be replaced by
participant one.

Gender equality

Pakistani society is too much conservative. There is gender inequality everywhere not only in
education but in other spheres of life. We are wasting a huge talent. Pakistan needs to take every
step to ensure gender equality. Discrimination must be prohibited.

Peace and Security

Peace and stability are the most actors that can play a vital role in development. Terrorism has
affected Pakistan not only politically but socially and economically. Foreign investors are not
ready to invest here. Pakistan must eliminate all the terrorist and extremists groups. All those
evils that have destabilize the country should be countered dispassionately.

Conclusion

Last but certainly not the least, development will take time. Those nations who touched the
pillars of successes took centuries to develop their political system. Since independence, Pakistan
has seen many ups and downs but has achieved many things with passage of time. We pray Allah
almighty, to have special blessings upon this beautiful country upon this country in the future.