The Dynamic Relationship between Democracy and Education in Pakistan

Author(s) : Ghulam Mustafa , Muhammad Nawaz & Fatima Khan

Abstract:

At present Pakistan is facing many challenges like poverty, power crisis, pollution, population explosion, economy crisis etc. However, illiteracy is one of the most important issue and also a determining factor in the stunted growth of democracy in Pakistan. This research paper attempts to find out the correlation between education and democracy, in other words the dynamic relationship that exists between the literacy rate of a country and the establishment of democracy in the country. The core findings of this article are that the ingredient of education is of prime importance and thus, cannot be separated from the recipe of democracy. The developed nations worked out a system that suited their needs, sure they learned via getting experience from experimenting, but the times have changed and in present times the international arena has become more complex and survival has become more complicated, therefore the developing nations cannot afford to experiment, thus education is the shortest route to achieve good governance by practicing democratic norms in true sense. But democracy can flourish and be a success in a society even if the bulk of the masses are not literate because it will gradually teach them the art of citizenship through experience. In case of Pakistan, some reforms need to be done like, change in the education system, promotion of gender equality, investing more on education, need to eradicate sectarianism and religious fanaticism etc. to smoothen the functioning of democracy.

Key Words: Democracy, Education, Literacy rate, Pseudo-democracy