Political Parties and Mass Contact in Bangladesh and Pakistan

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Questions and Answers

What is a common issue in the structure of political parties in Pakistan?

They are too focused on rural development

They have too many leaders

They lack inner democracy (correct)

They have too many elections

Why do politicians with significant influence often secure important positions in political parties?

Due to their popularity among the masses

Because of their social status and wealth (correct)

Because of their education

Due to their experience in politics

What has been the result of the uneven political development in rural and urban areas in Pakistan?

The growth of parties in rural areas

The rural population has been integrated into the political process

The decline of urban-based parties

Urban-based parties have limited contact with the rural population (correct)

Why have political parties in Pakistan failed to encourage the growth of alternate leadership?

Due to the focus on grabbing power Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the consequences of corruption in Pakistani society?

Alienation of citizens from political sharing and participation Signup and view all the answers

What is a common practice in Pakistani political parties?

Distributing party positions at a price to favorites Signup and view all the answers

Why do political parties in Pakistan often lack a clear political vision?

Due to the focus on grabbing power Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of most political parties in Pakistan?

They are urban-based with limited contact with the rural population Signup and view all the answers

What was the general perception of Pakistan's two major political parties after the 1999 military coup?

They were corrupt, incompetent, and unpopular. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant issue with political party funding in Pakistan?

It remains an unanswered question. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common criticism of electoral manifestos in Pakistan?

They are too vague and lack specific solutions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge in analyzing electoral manifestos in Pakistan?

They have high nuance that only seasoned analysts can understand. Signup and view all the answers

What do electoral manifestos in Pakistan often fail to do?

Prioritize problems and solutions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the lack of clear political vision in Pakistan?

A growing sense of alienation among the people. Signup and view all the answers

How are the heads of major political parties nominated?

By their working committees or Central Boards Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the lack of inner democracy in political parties?

The hindrance of democratic culture Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of party leadership in Pakistan?

Not encouraging the growth of alternate leadership Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of political leaders in Pakistan?

Personal or vested interests Signup and view all the answers

What has been the consequence of the lack of building up of leaders in parties?

Parties face a problem in mobilizing their disenchanted workers Signup and view all the answers

Why has Pakistan failed to develop healthy political institutions and lasting democracy?

Because political leaders have never respected the norms of democracy Signup and view all the answers

What is the nature of the nomination process in political parties?

Dictatorial and undemocratic Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of the contradictions in political parties?

The hindrance of democratic culture Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Political Parties in Pakistan

The development of political parties in Pakistan is related to the country's uneven political development, societal structure, and state formation.
Political parties in Pakistan are mostly urban-based, with limited connections to the rural population, due to the lack of regular elections.

Problems of Political Parties

Political parties in Pakistan face several problems, including:
- Lack of democracy within the party structure
- Primary focus on gaining power rather than serving the people
- Failure to encourage alternate leadership
- Lack of clear political vision
- Corruption and alienation of citizens from the political process

Lack of Inner Democracy

Major political parties in Pakistan are accused of democratic malpractices, such as:
- Leaders appointing themselves as life chairpersons
- Heirs being groomed to take over party leadership
- Party positions being sold to favorites
- Inadequate internal party elections
- Influential politicians securing important positions through nominations

Political Parties' Funding

The funding of political parties in Pakistan remains an unanswered question.

Party Manifestos

Electoral manifestos play a crucial role in party democracy and political science analyses.
However, manifestos often:
- Try to be "all things to all people"
- Hide contradictions and nuances
- Fail to prioritize problems and solutions
- Rarely specify resource allocation for promised outputs

Leadership and Nominations

The heads of major political parties are nominated by non-elected members of working committees or Central Boards.
This leads to influential people with clout within the party and high command occupying important positions.
Social and business upstarts with political ambitions employ similar tactics.
The lack of democratic norms in party leadership contradicts the call to end military dictatorship.

Lack of Leadership Building

Parties in Pakistan do not build politicians from workers to leaders, leading to a lack of alternate leadership.
This hinders the parties' ability to cope with crisis situations, as seen in the assumption of power by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999.

Corruption and Lack of Transparency

Political leaders prioritize personal or vested interests over national interests.
They often neglect democratic norms, contributing to the failure to develop healthy political institutions and lasting democracy in Pakistan.

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Description

This quiz is about the development of political parties in Bangladesh and Pakistan, including the Awami League and Pakistan People's Party. It also discusses the relationship between political development and societal factors.