Technocracy refers
to a form of government where decision-makers are people who possess
technological areas in their respective areas of supervision. I believe that
the solution to many of Pakistan’s problems lies in a technocratic government.
By a technocratic
government I do not mean that technocrats should possess supreme power, rather
that they should have considerable say in policy-making and should therefore
work with the politicians on equal ground. This is simply due to the fact that
they have considerable knowledge in their respective areas, more often than not
more than the politicians, and can therefore come up with more effective
policies which take into account several different variables, rather than
focusing on just one.
A lot of arguments are put forward that technocrats are not
democratically elected and that technocrats only serve to benefit those who
hire them. If we analyze Pakistan’s situation, majority people will agree that
even in the current scenario there is no democracy in Pakistan. Furthermore, our
politicians, as shown by substantial evidence, implement politics that only
benefit them and the ruling elite therefore even now the elites interests are
what drive our policies direction.
We have experienced how politicians have systemically robbed
our country; I think it is time that we limit the power of these greedy politicians
and let educated people with unselfish motives direct our country to the path
of progress and prosperity.
I agree with your views about getting Technocracy to Pakistan. We have tried and tested almost all the so called "democratic" leaders of Pakistan. Its like a game of musical chairs going on, whereby one time its the PPP and the next time its the PML-N that comes to power. Who knows what will happen next, so its better to have the technocratic form of government to try out for a change.
ReplyDeleteJust because technocrats may be able to provide better solutions to the myriad of problems that Pakistan faces, one should not abandon the hope that technocrats could come to power in Pakistan through a legitimate democratic process. The crisis of democratic legitimacy is a major one that we are dealing with here in Pakistan, but I'm optimistic that if we allow democratic institutions to really grow and flourish, then change will come. Perhaps then one day technocrats will be elected into positions of power.
ReplyDeleteWith the existing feudal system the prevails and with people only voting based on loyalties to certain leaders, it is nearly impossible for technocrats to come to power democratically.
ReplyDeleteIt can happen but it'll take years of structural reformation for this to happen, years that Pakistan could really use developing itself.