The factors responsible for Pakistan’s failure in building a stable democracy are explained below :
1. The social dominance of the military, clergy and landowning aristocracy has led to the frequent overthrow of elected governments and the establishment of military governments.
2. Pakistan’s conflict with India has made the pro-military groups more powerful. These groups have often said that political parties and democracy in Pakistan are flawed and Pakistan security would be harmed by selfish- minded parties and chaotic democracy.
3. The lack of genuine international support for democratic rule in Pakistan has further encouraged the military to continue its dominance.
4. The United States and other western countries have also encouraged the military’s authoritarian rule for their own reasons such as fear of ‘global Islamic terrorism’ and apprehension of falling of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons into the hands of terrorist groups. Thus, they see the military regime as protector of their interests in West Asia and South Asia.
