Rope for Revolution

BY: NAUMAN ASGHAR

Events are part of an irresistible time stream of history. Individuals cannot create the current of events; they can only float with it and steer. Revolution is not the work of men but it is a ‘process’. Moreover revolutions are the result of deep-rooted and slowly evolving political and social malformations rather than the sudden outbreak that they appear to be at the surface.

The intellectuals who dismiss the possibility of revolution in Pakistan advance two arguments. First, to them the revolution must be motivated by an 'ideology expounded by intelligentsia which is non-existent in this situation. Secondly they attribute the improbability of revolution to the absence of 'leadership'. But an impersonal and non-subjective historical analysis of social revolutions suggests that ideology is not indispensable to create the desire for reform instead the revolutionaries in most cases are actuated by unbearable iniquitous and rotten social structure. Social revolutions occur because of ‘emergence’, not ‘making’, of revolutionary situation. The revolutionary spirit in France of 1789 was fostered not by a particular ideology rather it was the outcome of grave and accumulated wrongs of successive despotic governments. On July 14, 1789, when French people gathered in Paris and attacked the Bastille, a symbol of arbitrary and capricious government, they had no leadership which only emerged during the course of revolution. One of the greatest lessons of history is that occasion brings forth its men.

The state edifice in its present form is rickety in the extreme and the ill-constructed governmental structure does not conform to the wishes or desires of the nation. The occupants of the corridors of power do not give a hoot to the welfare of citizens. The state seems to be failing in its primary responsibility of providing protection to citizens’ life and property. The persons at the helm of affairs have come to this position by a strange concourse of events, entirely untrained in the arts of government. They possess none of the masterful qualities necessary for leadership. Even if they are not unintelligent, their intelligence is unequal to the daunting challenges of today. They are lacking in wisdom, in breadth of judgment; they do not understand the temperament of people or the spirit of the times. Born to the purple, their outlook upon life does not transcend that of the small and highly privileged class to which they belong. Their feudal mindset blocks any attempt aimed at empowerment of citizens.

The glaring incidents of mob lynching in the presence and sometimes under the patronage of law-enforcement authorities amply demonstrate the complete breakdown of the system of justice. And without justice even the 'kingdoms' are 'great robberies'. The political parties here are too disorganized and too personalistic to become nurseries of charismatic leadership. The chieftains of these factions suffer from the feeling of self-righteousness and their arrogance has estranged them from citizens frittering away their credibility.

The social organization of the country is far from satisfactory. Class-based anachronistic and outdated social structure has engendered widespread resentment among the disadvantaged segments against the status-quo. The privileged orders are favoured in a number of ways such as tax exemptions, cronyism, nepotism, thus perpetuating the class divisions. The social discontent has driven common people to the verge of consenting to commit suicide- the only route to escape the pangs of poverty and unemployment. Paradoxically the multi-tiered educational system in Pakistan, instead of helping to mitigate the sufferings of the hoi polloi, makes the social fissures more deep and pronounced. One of the most pernicious effects of unnatural distinctions established in the society is that it has rendered possible a tyranny by a minority over a majority quite as complete, odious and unrestrained as any tyranny of a medevial king could be.

The inequitable and unjust land ownership in Pakistan has become a stumbling block in breaking the vicious cycle of poverty. The surging wave of inflation has broken the back of salaried class as well as daily wage-earners. The recent floods, like the bad harvests of France in 1788, have aggravated the situation and to tackle the humanitarian catastrophe in the offing in flood-ravaged areas is well beyond the capacity of a country already in deep financial straits.

Moreover the commonplace view that revolution is undesirable as it merely results into change of oppressors is untrue. The French Revolution accomplished the transition from feudal and absolutist system of the preceding centuries to the democratic system of modern world. The entire structure of the French state and of French society was remodeled and planted on new and far-reaching principles. The Reign of Terror was unleashed because of the foreign intervention of monarchial dynasties in neighbouring countries to staunch the tide of revolution. But such a situation is unimaginable in these times.

The abovementioned account leads to the unmistakable conclusion that no amount of patching and renovating could make the present fossilized system in our country tolerable and a total reorganization of society is needed.  Media has played its role in exposing the anomalous state structure compelling the people to think about the causes of their miserable lot. Today the country has reached a stalemate where those responsible for bringing about change are apathetic and reluctant while others, clamouring for reform, are powerless to effect the changes.  Thus the situation is ripe for revolution which may spring from a slight occasion like spiralling increase in food prices as is expected in the forthcoming year because of devastating floods. Today the country stands in dire need of a de novo social contract which must be premised on the following two principles. One, the people are the only legitimate fountain of power. Two, the growth of one individual is to be as little as possible at the expense of another creating a healthy atmosphere for social reconstruction.

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