Democracy has been a prominent concept for over a century, gaining particular significance after World War I. The world recognized that the lack of democracy and the denial of self-determination to people across the globe were underlying causes of the war and other conflicts.

Consequently, efforts were made by the international community to promote democracy in European and Western countries and to grant the right of self-determination to people in various regions. This recognition, influenced largely by the U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, played a crucial role in the decolonization movements after World War II (1939–1945), leading to the independence of countries like Pakistan. Pakistan inherited its democratic framework from British colonial rule. However, as a society within pre-partition India, it lacked democratic foundations. Consequently, from the outset, Pakistan struggled to develop a true understanding of democracy — its value, and how it could be achieved.

Democracy is generally understood as a system of government in which the people of a country, province, or locality elect their rulers, who then govern according to the people’s wishes. This process of choosing rulers is known as the electoral process. However, elections are just one aspect of democracy; democracy extends beyond voting — it is a whole culture. While the people’s wishes are a key factor, these wishes are shaped by public opinion, which is expressed through elections. Understanding how public opinion is formed is crucial, as it is influenced by the kind of society, socialization, and worldview prevalent among the majority. All of these elements are deeply connected to the culture of a society.

To grasp the concept of democracy as a culture, it is essential to first understand what culture means. Culture refers to the collective way of life of the people in a particular country or region. The largest human grouping is a society, and the culture of democracy implies that every individual within a society has the right to think and act freely, within the boundaries of laws and moral codes. A democratic culture allows individuals to think and act as they see fit, so long as they adhere to legal and moral standards. This freedom fosters the growth of democratic values.

It is worth noting that some countries and societies are more democratic than others. For instance, Danish society is often considered more democratic than Indian society. In Denmark, people have the freedom to form and express opinions and act according to their beliefs. In contrast, India, despite being called “the largest democracy,” often limits individual freedoms due to societal pressures and restrictions. The mere presence of elections and voting rights does not equate to true democracy. Genuine democracy depends on how freely individuals can form opinions and make choices, without coercion or societal duress. Therefore, the strength of democracy in any country relies on the degree of freedom people have to think and act independently.

Furthermore, it is important to recognize that a state’s laws and societal norms may not always benefit the majority. However, when people enjoy freedom of thought, expression, and action, they can debate these laws and moral standards, creating pressure on governments, community leaders, and social elites to bring about change. Reformed laws and updated moral standards foster an environment that supports mental growth and enables individuals to use their talents for the collective good of society.

Undoubtedly, elections play a vital role in any democracy. The process of electing rulers is directly tied to an individual’s right to think and act freely. In a true democracy, people choose leaders they consider competent, honest, and capable. To make informed decisions, voters must have access to accurate information about their rights and responsibilities, the backgrounds of candidates, the key issues facing their country or locality, and methods to assess their leaders’ performance. Public opinion — shaped by such knowledge — is essential for a strong democracy.

In the context of Pakistan, it is evident that many people lack sufficient information about their own issues and the democratic process. As a result, they often struggle to make informed decisions when electing political leaders. Strengthening democracy in Pakistan requires fostering a culture that encourages free thought, informed public opinion, and active civic engagement.

To understand and establish democracy, it is crucial to recognize why it is considered the best system of governance. There are several reasons why democracy stands out as the most effective form of government. Over centuries of experimentation with personal and dynastic rule, civilized nations have, over the last two and a half centuries, firmly concluded that democracy is the most just and practical system of governance. Frustrated by various authoritarian regimes, Western scholars began contemplating a system where the people’s interests, welfare, and development were paramount, and rulers existed solely to achieve these objectives. Given that modern states often consist of millions of people, elections emerged as the most effective mechanism to determine the majority’s interests and to identify the leaders best suited to serve them.

One of the key strengths of democracy is that a democratic government holds power for a fixed period or as long as the people desire. In most democratic states, governments serve four- or five-year terms. Once a government’s tenure ends, new elections are held. If the people are satisfied with a government’s performance, they re-elect it; if not, they vote it out. This institutionalized mechanism for accountability has rarely existed under other forms of rule.

Unfortunately, in Pakistan, elected governments have often been unable to complete their terms, frequently being overthrown by military dictatorships. Ironically, such removals were sometimes celebrated by the public, largely due to the elected governments’ failure to deliver on their promises. However, the solution to democratic failures is not dictatorship — it is more democracy. Since many people in Pakistan have been socialized in an ultraconservative environment under authoritarian rulers, they have struggled to grasp the essence of democratic culture. As a result, most political parties — with few exceptions — have evolved into family-run entities, reflecting the deeply entrenched nepotism and cronyism in Pakistani society.

Without fostering a culture of democracy within Pakistani society, achieving a successful democratic governance system will remain an uphill battle.