UNIVERSITY OF THE PUNJAB
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Modern Democracy: Issues in Theory and Practice
No full textConsidering Democracy as the best form of government is self-evidently true. The meaning of democracy is rooted in the concept of common people being master of their affairs. In the words of Robert Dahl “democracy prevents despotism”. (Dahl, 2000). Today democracy is being promoted, propagated and practiced across globe from developed nations of Europe and America to the developing countries of Africa and Asia, it is prevailing everywhere. Despite it’s widely acceptance, the question is whether the practices of modern democracy are up to its definitions. This research undertakes the task to find out the answer to this emerging query. The research includes the theoretical framework of democracy in detail and has explained the complicated trends and structures in modern democracy such as media and global economy and how they are marginalizing the role of common man and killing the real spirit of democracy i.e. rule by the consent of the ruled. The researcher has evaluated the democratic practices of America and Europe as they are considered the greatest democracies of the world. The research has analyzed that to what extenttheir political system is democratic. Furthermore, some features of developingdemocracies are also summed up as well. After the evaluation, it is found that due to political maneuvering and economic competition the welfare of the masses is compromised
Indo-Us Strategic Relations in the 21st Century
No full textThe present study is to a certain extent important because of the Cold War era, IndoUS relationship has been marked by so many ups and downs. Considerably, there has been continuous enhancement in Indo-US relations in the post-Cold War era. Both the countries complete a well-built pledge to transform bilateral ties into strategic partnership during this era, mainly after 9/11. It is observed to smooth the progress of that India and the US focused on strategic, security issues, defense, maritime, energy, space, counter terrorism, trade, science and technology etc. The renovation in Indo-US strategic relationship has a vast impact on China’s security and these make corrections will have an effect on India-US-China trilateral strategic relationships in support of India. Importantly, the study has been focused on Indo-US bilateral relationship mainly in the 21st century vis-a-vis India’s security concerns at regional and global level. Thus, the study has been taking into account of the shifting global order, which is rapidly changing in the light of globalization, global terror pain in the neck and worldwide non-conventional security threats. It is also likely that let-down on the part of India to prevent delay or abandonment of the ‘‘123 civil nuclear cooperation agreement’’ has been bring substantial restrained consequences for the strategic relationship with the United States. Both the countries also decided to determine to construct nearer and qualitatively strategic ties in the 21st century. The area of convergences and divergences stuck between the two countries has been solidifying the growing model of mutual relationships. Consequently, the relevance of strategic relations makes the reading important at present time. Keeping in observation the over mentioned current development in Indo-US relations, the strategic ties process has been build a realistic impact in Indo-Pacific region and the beyond region; for that reason this subject matter has been undertaken for the research
A Socio Political Status of Minorities in Pakistan
No full textThe groups of people based on religion, language or ethnicity living in a state but in lesser numbers are called minorities. The minority groups have been living in Pakistan amicably since independence and have been playing their active role in the development of society especially in education and health sectors. Despite being living in conducive environment as good and responsible citizens, the minority groups have been facing inequality, discrimination and victimization by both the state and society. These minorities have been marginalized in almost every segment of life including employment, education, and top of all-the religious freedom. The minorities, especially the Christians have some serious issues about their security and often mention that they have been targeted especially under Blasphemy Law i which they have been prosecuted in the name of religion. Most of these blasphemy cases have been found out to be the result of personal enmity and religious vendettas. The government needs to address these issues of minorities on emergency footings for an inclusive and moderate Pakistani society
Political Empowerment of Women in Pakistan; Performance of Female Parliamentarians in Punjab Assembly (Case Study of Lahore District: 2002-2007)
No full textThe study endeavors to analyze the ontology of political empowerment of women with the role of female legislators from Lahore in the Punjab Assembly (2002-07). The selected era has a peculiar importance as the number of reserved seats was increased up to 17% in the National and Punjab Assembly and 33% in the local governments. The initiatives taken by President Pervaiz Musharraf led to the process of women empowerment which continued even after his era. The study is an effort to encompass the outcomes of those initiatives and the performance of women legislators in the Punjab Assembly. Semi-Structured interviews of the women legislator, academician and the media person were conducted to infer the results. Secondary sources were used to make the study more authentic
Federal Iraq and Unitary Afghanistan: A comparative analysis of plural societies1
No full textThis paper analyzes the ongoing democratization process in Iraq and Afghanistan. It examines the political institutions established in both countries by using the comparative method of analysis. The paper shows that both Iraq and Afghanistan are primarily plural societies and are divided along sectarian and ethnic lines. Drawing from the academic literature, the paper proposes that consociational democracy is the best democratic alternative for plural/divided societies. The paper mainly argues that even though Iraq and Afghanistan share somewhat similar demographic characteristics, their newly installed democratic institutions reveal a sharp contrast. It investigates the reasons for this dissimilar choice of political institutions and proposes that the democratic institutions in both the countries must be formulated in line with the principles of consociational democracy
Special Economic Zones in Pakistan: Analysis of Trends from Global Perspective
No full textSpecial economic zones (SEZs) are being used by countries all over the world as an effective economic strategy to promote economic development and industrialization with proper planning by attracting foreign investment with tax rebate and business incentives for investors. There are umpteen successful models of zones being practiced by states across Asia like Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, and China and how these states struggled to achieve envisioned goals needs a thorough study. This paper attempts to examine the phenomenon of SEZ by observing the conditions that tend to contribute to success. The paper also ascertains the importance of SEZ for Pakistan‘s industrial development and provides policy recommendations for the government of Pakistan in the light of lessons learnt from the global context
Satire Shows Portrayed by Television and Political Education
No full textThis is a dire need of time to promote Communication and political education in a changing information explosive world. For sustainability, social inclusion is one of the core elements. Television provides information regarding current affairs and entertainment. Viewership of television has increased due to Technological advancement. Developments of political satirical shows are an advanced trend. Satire shows presents political information and education in a very funny way. Satire shows provide beauty to the information and education and people also get entertainment along with political education. The following research aims investigating the nexus of satirical programs popularity among the University going students and to explore the influence of those programs in shaping public judgement. Mimicry and satire shows fulfill purpose of education also. University students are the universe of the study is university students. Survey method is used for data collection of students of selected universitie
Influence of Print and Electronic Media on Youth Voting Behaviour in Pakistan
No full textThis paper aims to investigate the effect of newspaper and news channels on voting decision/ behaviour of educated youth in Pakistan during the 2018 general elections. It is a quantitative study based on a questionnaire survey. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 381 master students enrolled at the faculty of commerce, arts and humanities, science,behavioural and social sciences, and education. Significant positive interaction has been found between newspapers, news channels, and educated youth’ voting behaviour. Along with creating awareness media has become the opinion leader. Results indicate an increase in the rational behaviour of youth but still, their decisions have been shaped by the structural conditions. This study establishes pertinence in micro-macro factors within the context of voting behaviour. Micro factors include individual cognitive ability while macro factors include big structures. It demonstrates that cognitive ability has largely been shaped by socio–political structures and these structures were created by political actors using mediums such as newspapers and news channels. Findings also revealed a change in voting trends of youth. This area of research is not new in the field of psephology, however the uniqueness of this study is that it will assists youth of developing countries to obliterate false consciousness and structural constraints on their cognitive ability. Further, it will alleviate into conscious, informed, and rational decisions. In Pakistan field of psephology is ignored, formerly attention has been paid to study elections in terms of civil-military relationship and the use of election as a means to control state machinery. There is no such study conducted in a local context
Religio-Cultural Homogeneity and National Interest in Solidarity
No full textJudaism, Christianity and Islam all the three religion are the followers of the divine books (Tura, Old Testament) Bible and Holy Quran the origin of these three religions is the divinity and the sovereignty of Allah and that he sends his Apostles time and again to establish stronger norms and principles of civilization, good citizenship and humanity at large. Tura by Musa is the most ancient divine book and is very much a part of Holy Bible similarly both the Tora and Bible provide foundation to Quran and that Islam and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has been cited in Bible and Tura repeatedly. All the three religions have similarities and assimilation in culture and religion. The mechanism of life, birth childhood rights of children and women the youth and the old are interconnected on many principles however there are some differences as well and it is more due to the time gaps the geographical factors the economy the language, food and dress historical traditions the events of war and peace and also largely the interest of the ruling class and the clergy. This paper deals with the Religio Cultural Homogeneity and National Interest in Solidarity
Enlightenment and the Challenge of Extremism in Pakistan
No full textThe surge of religious extremism in Pakistan is not a new phenomenon and it got an impetus after 9/11. Back to back events like the U.S led war in Afghanistan; frequent drone attacks in the tribal areas of Pakistan; the Red Mosque operation of July 2007 against religious extremist elements; military operation in Swat and North and South Waziristan deepened the level of religious anger, antagonism, intolerance, violence and terrorism. Yet, extremism, whether religious, political or ethnic existed even before 9/11 but its scope and intensity was limited. Religious extremist groups got an impetus during the martial law regime of General Zia-ul-Haq because of the free hand which was given to those who preached their own brand of Islam under the pretext of Shariah and coerced others to adhere to their way of life. Hence, there is a greater degree of contrast between extremism which existed in Pakistan before the Afghan Jehad and after, as militancy and intolerance before 1979 existed but it was in a low profile whereas after 1979 it permeated in the societal structures and even stateinstitutions couldn‟t escape from the ramifications and the surge of extremism. The proliferation of inter and intra sectarian violence in the backdrop of Afghan Jihad sharply divided Pakistani society and unleashed a cycle of violence resulting into colossal physical losses