Pakistan is hybrid democracy

Pakistan is hybrid democracy says Economist Intelligence Unit

According to the annual Democracy index of Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has declare Pakistani democracy as hybrid regime. The Index has five categories to assess the state of democracy. These categories are electoral process and pluralism; the functioning of government; political participation; political culture; and civil liberties.

 EIU has made four heads to explain the nature of democracy.  These are “full democracy”, “flawed democracy”, “hybrid regime” or “authoritarian regime”. Pakistan has been place under the head of Hybrid democracy.

Pakistan has been ranked on 108th position in 2019 against 112th position in 2017. Out of 10 Pakistan has got 4.25 points this year (2019) on Democratic Index. Its position has got better from the previous year (2018)’s 4.17 points.

In 2019, out of 10 Pakistan’s Overall Score is 4.25, It has been ranked at 108th position, while points on Electoral Process and Pluralism measure are 6.08, on Functioning of Government it got 5.71 points, Political participation 2.22, Political culture 2.50, Civil liberties 4.71. Pakistan scored low in political participation and political culture.

In Musharraf era in 2006 Pakistan points were 3.92, but it got better when after 2008 general elections Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) came to power. In 2008, Pakistan points were 4.46, in 2010--4.55, 2011--4.55, 2012--4.57, 2013--4.64, 2014--4.64, 2015--4.40, 2016--4.33, 2017--4.26. It is worth mentioning that from mid-2013 to mid-2018 Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was in the government.

According to the EIU data-Democracy was better under PPP and PML-N governments compare to current government of PTI. Democracy is also on the retreat globally. The survey finds that democracy has been eroded around the world in the past year. In the 2019 Democracy Index the average global score for democracy fell from 5.48 in 2018 to 5.44. This is the worst average global score since the index was first produced in 2006.

India-Sri Lanka and Bangladesh has scored better than Pakistan.

 India’s Overall Score is 6.90-It Ranked 51. It has dropped 10 places in one year in the Index. India scored 8.97 in Electoral process and pluralism- functioning of government 6.79- Political participation 6.67-Political culture 5.63 and Civil liberties 6.76.

Bangladesh: Overall Score 5.88, Rank 80, Electoral process and pluralism 7.83, Functioning of government 6.07, Political participation 6.11, Political culture 4.38, Civil liberties 5.00.

Sri Lanka: Overall Score 6.27 Rank 69, Electoral process and pluralism 7.00, Functioning of government 6.07, Political participation 5.56, Political culture 6.25, Civil liberties 6.47.

Afghanistan: Overall Score 2.85 Rank 141=, Electoral process and pluralism 3.42, Functioning of government 0.64, Political participation 3.89, Political culture 2.50, Civil liberties 3.82.

Malaysia is most democratic Muslim country with ranking at 43rd position.

Malaysia’s Overall Score is 7.16 Rank 43=, Electoral process and pluralism 9.17, Functioning of government 7.86, Political participation 6.67, Political culture 6.25, Civil liberties 5.88.

                                                         Monitoring desk