Political dynasties
DYNASTIC politics curbs merit in politics. Yet it exists even in the West, China and Japan. Its strength varies. In its mild, most common form, many scions of a family…
Strengthening dynasties
Dynastic politics is not a new phenomenon in our politics. Political dynasties are well entrenched in our political system. But Pakistan is not the only country in South Asia which…
Dynasties and cults
IN developed states, policies largely attract votes. In developing ones, electables gain vote banks by promising patronage goodies directly to local clans. These banks, being based on social links, transfer…
Dynasties, old and new
It was generally believed that the rise of the PTI would change the political landscape of the 2018 general elections. It was believed that the PTI’s young candidates would weaken…
Political parties and democracy
“Political parties make strong demands for the conduct of free and fair elections to legislative bodies, but choose to ignore the application of the same principles when it comes to…
Coalitions and divisions
THE Pakistani polity is very polarised and divided right now. The PTI definitely has support among the masses. But so do the other parties. The PML-N has a significant support…
No politics for the young
The last time a student union election was held in Pakistan was 1983, which means the previous generations to contest student union elections were the Boomers and Gen X, born…
Can the youth run Pakistan?
Half of the world’s population is under 30 years old, mirroring a similar trend in Pakistan, where 64 per cent of the population falls within this age group One would…
Pakistan’s elite and the art of deception
“The ends justify the means,” Machiavelli’s famous adage, permitting rulers to forsake moral high grounds in favour of maintaining power and control, is something that rings in my mind every…
End of acrimony
To the credit of the very congenial-looking Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari , he is trying to overcome the emptiness of the present by building the most cordial scenarios for the future. A…
