A Modernist Perspective on the Role of Political Parties in Democratic Consolidation

Abstract

This paper discusses the activities and roles of political parties towards the democratic consolidation of the post-colonial states with specific focus on Pakistan. It examines the concept of political development in the light of the modernisation theory that anticipates changes in the form of the traditional structures into the present-day institutions and political cultures. The manuscript assumes that the political parties are an essential tool in this process and they are some of the most powerful sources of democratization and political change. This research paper aims at discussing the relationship between political development and modernization and the role played by political parties in this change. It also discusses the issues that affect political parties in Pakistan which are complicated in nature such as factionalism in every political party, the leadership that is dominated by the dynastic leadership of almost everything in politics, and external forces that are exerted on them by frequent military interventions. This research is qualitative and theory-oriented using secondary sources to assess these dynamics. The analysis shows that the systemic issues have not eliminated the fact that political parties still have the important functions of participation, representation, and continuity of institutions. This paper will be more enlightening on how the political parties may assist in and sustain democratic consolidation in the shifting institutional milieu by exploring the dynamics between political development and modernisation. The conclusion of the paper is that the future of democratic consolidation of Pakistan lies in the consolidation of party institutionalisation and internal democracy without the interference of the outside world.

Keywords: Modernisation, Political development, Military Interventions, Governance, Democratic consolidation.