Dynastic politics

MQM chief Altaf Hussain has questioned those who hold that democratic system, despite some of its glaring failures, should be allowed to function and that it is always preferable to a military rule. He characterised the system that has prevailed over for the last 63 years as decadent, forgetting that most of it was direct military rule and the remainder, except for a short period perhaps, a system where army influenced decision-making from the backstage.
According to him, the system has promoted dynastic politics, where political leadership remains confined within certain families. He has held feudal lords and corrupt politicians responsible for people's problems and has called on the army to come to the rescue of the masses by striking against those involved in looting the national wealth. There are many in this country who would readily agree with Altaf that land reforms are needed to eradicate rural poverty and give a boost to national industry by providing added purchasing power to millions of people.
It would, however, be naïve to think that land reforms would put an end to dynastic politics. Similarly, corruption needs to be dealt with because it stands in the way of creating an efficient society practising good governance and rule of law. However, to think that Pakistan is the only country where politicians are corrupt contradicts facts. Similarly, few would agree with Altaf that feudalism and corruption can be eliminated through military intervention as both have flourished under successive military rulers.
Dynastic politics plays a prominent role in four political parties to which the bulk of the legislators belong. The leadership of all these parties does not have an identical class background. The top leadership in the PPP has a feudal background, while that of the ANP leadership comes from a family of Khawanin, or big landlords. The PML-N and PML-Q leaders draw most of their income from business and industry.
In the case of the PPP, the political mantle passed from Zufiqar Ali Bhutto to his daughter Benazir when she was appointed Co-Chairperson of the party along with her mother. The way the two conducted themselves after the 1977 military coup and the later, the hanging of Bhutto added to their charisma. Begum Bhutto faced the situation with courage and grace that earned her respect even from some of the PPP's political opponents. The bravery and political wisdom displayed subsequently by Benazir during Zia's Martial Law confirmed her as a political leader in her own right.
While some may rightly object to her confirmation as permanent chairperson of the PPP, it would be difficult to maintain that she had not earned the office through hard work and political acumen. The problem with charismatic politicians is that they generally discourage the growth of alternate leadership outside their families. Thus Bilawal and Zardari are leaders by default rather than proven merit. The PPP is keenly waiting for Bilawal to complete his education to become party Chairman. It remains to be seen whether he grows in the chair that he will, in all probability, assume.
In the case of the PML-N, the top leadership comprises two Sharif brothers. While Nawaz Sharif's sons have preferred to stay away from politics, Shahbaz has prepared one of his sons as his political heir apparent. In the case of the ANP, the political mantle has passed now to the third generation without break. While Wali Khan emerged as a leader in his own right, Asfandyar has yet to prove that he deserved the position he has inherited.
The link between dynastic politics and feudalism however, is yet to be established. There is no doubt that feudal lords have captive electorates, they can grow into national leaders only on account of their intelligence and political acumen. In case they lack the qualities, their influence does not transcend their constituencies.
Dynastic politics is not confined to Pakistan alone. As the examples of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh indicate dynastic politics continues in countries where middle class rather than big landlords dominate politics. Every new leader has however to prove his eligibility to remain in power. It would thus be simplistic to assume that through land reforms alone dynastic politics can be ended.
Similarly, corruption among politicians is not confined to Pakistan alone, though on account of its high scale and incidence it has become an important national issue. In India, Rajiv Gandhi was accused of receiving millions of dollars in kickbacks from Bofors AB in return for the acceptance of a bid to supply India 155mm field howitzers. The scandal led to the defeat of the ruling Indian National Congress in the November 1989 general elections. Narasimha Rao, another India premier, was associated directly and indirectly with financial scams and was sentenced by a special court.
The decision was, however, overturned by the high court due to doubt in the credibility of a witness' statement. Cases of corruption have been initiated in Bangladesh and Thailand against prime ministers. In Japan, politicians have been found involved in corruption while in Britain and the US, numerous politicians have been implicated in financial scams and sex scandals of all types and combinations.
There is however a major difference between the corrupt in the developed democracies and countries like Pakistan. The former have succeeded in evolving independent, politically neutral and powerful institutions, capable of exposing the corrupt and getting them sentenced. Further, unlike Pakistan, whenever caught, politicians admit to their crimes, offer apologies and retire from politics.
What is required is strengthening the courts and creating accountability institutions, which are widely seen to be neutral rather than pliable instruments in the hands of the ruling party to persecute the opposition while turning a blind eye to the misdeeds of those supporting the government. Similarly, there is a need for regular elections, from top to bottom, in all political parties. This rather than military invention is the way to get rid of dynastic politics and corruption over time.