Democracy is a test of collective wisdom in a specific society where it prevails, USA lead Western democracies after going through centuries of evolution are reaching to the stage of perfection now.
In third world democracy is in early stages of its evolution, the largest democracy in the world popularly known as India, in its Orissa province Christian minority has become target of extreme Hindu rightist group RSS, which is backed by Bhartya Janta Party. Communal hatred became bases of two-nation theory, which was resulted in creation of Pakistan in 1947, and united India was partitioned, Muslims of India due to biased attitude of Hindu majority were compelled to opt for a separate homeland. Now Sikh and Christian minorities in India including Muslims in Indian held Kashmir are in difficult situation.
India and Pakistan were ruled by monarchs for centuries, for only three hundred years of its recent history united India was ruled by British rulers, British rulers had built communication links from Khyber to Ras Kumari, they had also introduced system of local governments and a democratic set up under 1935 parliamentary act suitable to establish British hold on India.
Cultural impacts of more then thousand years of kingship in united India are so profound that 300 years of British rule was unable to promote democratic culture in it, but British ruler had succeeded to introduce modern education system which imparts scientific knowledge and some bases for development of democratic institutions.
Now India and Pakistan both are nuclear powers, democratic culture due to impacts of globalization on communication systems is growing fast in both these countries, internet, cable TV and Western TV channels are giving enough exposure to western democracies in third world countries. Informal education imparted through aforementioned means is increasing political consciousness among the masses. Pakistan has got world class elected leadership in result of February elections, India is also under the rule of world class elected leaders, the expectations of their followers are that leadership of these countries will strive to do more for creation of unbiased democratic society in which all the citizens can develop themselves to the best of their abilities, without becoming victim of tyranny and oppression in any form and manifestation.
Submitted by
Abdur Raziq