External factors in democratic transition in Pakistan in 2008: an analysis of the US supporting role

Authors

  • Saba Ali Department of Politics and International Relations, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8198-7504

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/8.2.7

Keywords:

Military rule, Democracy, Democratic transition, War on terror, Emergency rule, Lawyers movement, Political consensus, Independence of judiciary, NRO

Abstract

The political history of Pakistan has seen ephemeral intervals of democratic rule while protracted periods of military rule. A landmark development happened when a peaceful democratic transition from the authoritarian rule of General Musharraf was held in 2008. The internal factors for this transition were an independent judiciary, vibrant media, civil society, and political consensus between major political parties. This article meticulously investigates the significant role of the US as an external factor in supporting the democratic transition in Pakistan in 2008. Data is collected from secondary sources like newspapers, journal articles, books, and websites. The US supported General Musharraf's regime as part of its war on terror strategy but also urged him publicly to restore democracy. The Bush administration encouraged negotiation between Benazir Bhutto and General Musharraf and supported a political reconciliation between them, which shaped the politics of Pakistan in a new direction. When General Musharraf adopted authoritarian means, the US pressured him to democratise by different means to reinforce its interest in counterterrorism. Under heavy pressure, General Musharraf resigned as army chief and lifted the state of emergency. Later, he resigned from the presidency to escape the humiliation of impeachment, and democracy was restored in Pakistan.

References

Abbas, M. S. (2021). Lawyers’ movement for the renaissance of the independent judiciary in Pakistan. SSRN. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3760263

Acemoglu, D. & Robinson, J. A. (2006). Economic origins of dictatorships and democracy. Cambridge University.

Ahmad, I. & Rafiq, A. (Eds.). (2016). Pakistan's democratic transition: change and persistence. Taylor and Francis.

Alam, S., Bhatti, M. N., & Alvi, A. S. (2020). Civilianization of military rule in Pakistan: a study of Musharraf era (1999-2005). Pakistan Social Sciences Review, (4) 2, 150-163. https://pssr.org.pk/issues/v4/2/civilianization-of-military-rule-in-pakistan-a-study-of-musharraf-era-1999-2005.pdf

Aljazeera. (2007). Emergency rule imposed in Pakistan. Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2007/11/4/emergency-rule-imposed-in-pakistan-2

Asghar, R. (2008, August 19). Beyond Musharraf. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/317242/beyond-musharraf-impeachment-charges-can-t-stand-success-or-defeat-both-would-have-meant-defeat-of-the-nation

Baqai, H. (2012). Transition to democracy in Pakistan: a comparison to Rustow’s thesis. Pakistan Vision, 13(2), 70-95. https://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/studies/PDF-FILES/Artical-4_V13_No2_2012.pdf

Bhutto, B. (2014). Reconciliation: Islam, democracy and the West. Simon and Schuster. https://www.amazon.com/Reconciliation-Islam-Democracy-Benazir-Bhutto/dp/0061567590

Boix, C. (2003). Democracy and redistribution. Cambridge University. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/democracy-and-redistribution/ACB818ADD9174249D028E64634627626

Cheema, A. T. & Hashmi, R. S. (2021). Struggling for democracy: a case of democratization in Pakistan. Journal of Development and Social Sciences, 2(4), 554-562. https://jdss.org.pk/article/struggling-for-democracy-a-case-of-democratization-in-pakistan

Chengappa, B. M. (1999). Pakistan’s Fourth Military Takeover. Strategic Analysis, 23(9). https://doi.org/10.1080/09700169908455135

Cornwell, S. & Bohan, C. (2007). Bush urges Pakistan's leader to restore democracy. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-pakistan-usa idUKN0755227820071107

Crisis Group. (2002). Pakistan: transition to democracy? International Crisis Group. https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-asia/pakistan/pakistan-transition-democracy

Dawn. (2007). Musharraf, Benazir discuss future. Dawn News. https://www.dawn.com/news/258512/musharraf-benazir-discuss-future

Eckert, P. (2007, November 11). Rice urges Pakistan to end state of emergency. Reuters.

Epstein, S. B., Serafino, N. M., & Miko, F. T. (2007). Democracy promotion: cornerstone of US foreign policy? Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Fair, C. C. (2013). Pakistan on the Brink of a Democratic Transition? Current History. https://christinefair.net/pubs/20130301_Fair_CurrentHistory.p

Faqir, K. (2014). Judicial Crisis in Pakistan during Musharraf Regime. Pakistan Journal of History and Culture, 35(2).

Fruman, S. (2011). Will the long march to democracy in Pakistan finally succeed? US Institute of Peace. https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/will%20the%20long%20march%20to%20democracy%20in%20pakistan%20finally%20succeed.pdf

Gregory, S. (2016). Democratic transition and security in Pakistan. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315730813

Guo, S. (1999). Democratic transitions: a critical overview. Issues and Studies, 35(4), 133-144. http://fbemoodle.emu.edu.tr/pluginfile.php/40447/mod_resource/content/1/Guo.pdf

Huntington, S. P. (1991). The third wave: democratization in the late Twentieth Century (Vol. 4). University of Oklahoma. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780203765173-40/third-wave-huntington-samuel

Hussain, A. (2018). Benazir Bhutto’s struggle and sacrifices for democracy: Benazir Bhutto’s struggle. Journal of Social Sciences, 9(1), 1-20. https://jss.gcuf.edu.pk/index.php/jss/article/view/14

Imai, K. (2010). Internal versus external requisites of democracy. International Journal on World Peace, 27(3), 49-87. https://www.jstor.org/stable/23266502

Institute of Policy Studies Islamabad (2009). US aid to Pakistan and democracy. Policy Perspectives, 6(2). https://www.ips.org.pk/us-aid-to-pakistan-and-democracy/

International Crisis Group. (2013). Parliament’s role in Pakistan’s democratic transition. International Crisis Group. https://www.crisisgroup.org/sites/default/files/parliament-s-role-in-pakistan-s-democratic-transition.pdf

Iqbal, A. (2018). Reminiscences: Benazir’s persistence paved the way for democracy. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/1418906

Javaid, U. & Latif, A. (2017). Historical analysis of successive governments in Pakistan: a history of first six decades, 1947-2007. Pakistan Vision, 18(1).

Khan, A, Malik, Z., & Fatima, H. (2020). The role of General Musharraf in Pakistan's political structure: a critical review. Journal of Development and Social Sciences, 1(2), 25-31. https://jdss.org.pk/article/the-role-of-general-musharraf-in-pakistan-s-political-structure-a-critical-review

Khan, K. (1999). Army seizes control in Pakistan. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wpsrv/inatl/longterm/southasia/stories/pakistan101399.htm

Kondracke, M. (2007, August 10). Bush takes right stance on Pakistan: for democracy. https://rollcall.com/2007/08/10/bush-takes-right-stance-on-pakistan-for-democracy/

Kronstadt, K, A. (2007). Pakistan’s political crisis and state of emergency. Congressional Research Service. https://www2.law.umaryland.edu/marshall/crsreports/crsdocuments/RL34240_11062007.pdf

Kronstadt, K. A. (2008). Pakistan’s political crises. Congressional Research Service. https://sgp.fas.org/crs/row/RL34240.pdf

Lal, M. (2010). Changing patterns of civil-military governments in Pakistan. The Indian Journal of Political Science, 71(2), 635-649.

Lawson, M. L. & Epstein, S. B. (2019). Democracy promotion: an objective of US foreign assistance. Congressional Research Services. https://sgp.fas.org/crs/row/R44858.pdf

Levitsky, S., & Way, L. A. (2006). Linkage versus leverage: rethinking the international dimension of regime change. Comparative Politics, 379-400. https://www.jstor.org/stable/20434008

Linz, J. J. & Stepan, A. (1996). Problems of democratic transition and consolidation: Southern Europe, South America and post-communist Europe. John Hopkins University.

Lodhi, M. (2012). Democratic promise and peril. European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS).

Lunn, J., Taylor, C., & Youngs, T. (2007). Pakistan's political and security challenges. Refworld. https://www.refworld.org/reference/countryrep/ukhcl/2007/en/64198

Mackenzie, C. (2005). Building democracy in Pakistan. Journal of Public and International Affairs, 104-122. https://jpia.princeton.edu/sites/g/files/toruqf1661/files/2002-6.pdf

McFaul, M., Magen., A. & Weiss, K. (2007). Evaluating international influence on democratic development. Centre on Democracy, Development and Rule of Law, Stanford.

Mohajan, H. K. (2018). Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and related subjects. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, 7(1), 23-48. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=640546

Munck, G. L., (2001). Democratic transitions. International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. 3425-3428. https://doi.org/10.1016/B0-08-043076-7/01135-9

Naqvi, M., Robertson, N., & Verjee Z. (2007, August 9). Rice sway Musharraf of emergency. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/08/09/pakistan.emergency

Niaz, I. (2018). History (of Pakistan 1947-2019). Europa World Regional Series. https://www.academia.edu/36717347/History_Of_Pakistan_1947_2019_

O’Donnell, G. & Schmitter, P. (1986). Transitions from authoritarian rule: tentative conclusions about uncertain democracies. Johns Hopkins University.

Open Society. (2007). Emergency rule and protests in Pakistan. Open Society Foundation. https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/emergency-rule-and protests-pakistan

Oranga, J. & Matere, A. (2023). Qualitative research: essence, types and advantages. Open Access Library Journal, 10(12), 1-9.

Paracha, N. F. (2014). Uprisings and downfalls: attempts at ousting Pakistani governments. Dawn. https://www.dawn.com/news/1141343

Perlez, J. (2008, August 18). In Musharraf’s wake: US faces political disarray. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/19/world/asia/19pstan.html

Qureshi, A. (2007, November 12). Musharraf rivals talk of working together. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna21755066

Rais, R. B. (2014). Problems of democratic transition. ISSI. https://issi.org.pk/problems-of-democratic-transition/

Sangi, S. N., Baloch, J. A., & Ghumro, A. K. (2022). Role of electronic media in the revival of democracy in Pakistan in the first decade of the 21st century. Pakistan Journal of Social Research, 4(2), 619-625.

Senate Hearing. (2007). Pakistan’s future: building democracy or fuelling extremism? Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, United States, 110-554. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-110shrg45036/html/CHRG-110shrg45036.htm

Sengupta, S. (2007, March 25). Musharraf finds himself weakened after firing of judge. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/world/asia/25pakistan.html

Shah, A. (2002). Democracy on hold in Pakistan. Journal of Democracy, 13(1). https://web.archive.org/web/20040718211136id_/http://sobek.colorado.edu:80/~dsbrown/PSCI2012/Readings/Pakistan_shah.pdf

Sharma, A. (2008). Benazir's assassination: implications for Pakistan's democracy. Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies. http://www.ipcs.org/comm_select.php?articleNo=2457

Tamana, A. (2010). US-Pakistan co-operation and Pakistan’s security Post 9/11. (Doctoral Thesis, Curtin University of Technology). CU Repository. https://espace.curtin.edu.au/bitstream/handle/20.500.11937/501/151594_Tamana%20full.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y

Times of India. (2012). Mush-Benazir deal comes to haunt president. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/11469875.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

White House. (2006). President Bush and President Musharraf of Pakistan discuss strengthened relationship. White House Archive, US. https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2006/03/20060304-2.html

Published

2024-09-30

How to Cite

Ali, S. (2024). External factors in democratic transition in Pakistan in 2008: an analysis of the US supporting role. Liberal Arts and Social Sciences International Journal (LASSIJ), 8(2), 129–147. https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/8.2.7

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.