DAWN Books and Authors 05.06.01 Dr Mubarak Ali describes the political process in Third World countries where vested interests maintain the status quo. Democratic process in (most) Third World countries could not survive after colonialism, mainly because power was transferred to the elite, whose class interests were at odds with those of the masses. The new rulers retained the colonial institutions and continued with the process of colonization and exploitation of the masses. They simply weren't interested in imparting skills to the masses and involving them in governance. Hence two strong institutions of the colonial era , the army and the civil services, joined hands with the landlords and businessmen and monopolized political power and privileges. Change in the Third World is comparable to the way power changed hands from one ruling family to another in mediaeval times, retaining the status quo of society at large. Whatever change comes about does so within the framework of society. Sometimes, however, there is a change when political and armed forces join hands to bring about a coup d'etat. At other times the army acts alone to achieve the same. The masses have no say or part in this decision because it happens as a result of covert conspiracies and intrigues. During a coup the government in power works from behind the scenes. The state machinery is inevitably involved in the coup, which explains why the consensus of the masses is not sought; indeed it is ignored. From the political and economic standpoint, a coup can only come about in underdeveloped countries, where there are relatively few institutions of government and power. A coup attempt is successful when these few individuals or institutions, in whom power is concentrated, are subjugated. The coup proceeds according to a thought-out plan which is designed to abruptly seize key institutions of the state. These include the armed forces, the police, radio, television, telephone and telegraph, and modes of communication. After this the coup leaders seize the government buildings which include the presidency, the prime minister's residence, the parliament and the civil secretariats. Next the capital is blockaded and the army takes over the main arteries of the city. Restrictions are imposed on political parties, trade and student unions and prominent political personalities are arrested. The press is heavily censored and all public political activity is banned. The broad spread of power in developed countries makes it difficult to bring about a successful coup d'etat there. Power in these countries lies with the political parties involved in the political process. The administrators of these parties are skilled workers and their offices are establishments used for communication. The trade unions in these countries are run by conscientious workers. Moreover, there are courts, a law machinery and freedom of the press. So it becomes almost impossible to destroy institutions or to gain their support, to lend legitimacy to a military coup. Devoid of such uninterrupted and stable processes, the coup has become the inevitable fate of (most of) the Third World. The law of the land changes constantly and governments are run by individuals who reserve power for their person, caste or family. In such countries democratic traditions are non-existent and economic crises a norm, manifest through unemployment, inflation and scarcity of food. Disease, illiteracy, poverty , inadequate housing, droughts and overpopulation are just some of the problems which plague the masses. But instead of solving peoples' problems the Third World governments regularly issue advice. The average man in a Third World country is humiliated at the hands of government institutions in pursuance of his everyday needs. Everyday his dignity and self-esteem are defeated. So much so that people are forced, like animals, to live according to the whims of their master, the government. They encounter verbal humiliation, the curse of bribery and corruption at the hands of officers and high officials everyday. They stumble, rather than walk, over overflowing gutters, filth and dirt on broken roads. For treatment they go to unsanitary hospitals where unsympathetic doctors prescribe adulterated and unsafe medicines. Add to all this transport problems, burglary and dacoity and the average man is destined to live in a constant state of insecurity. Burdened with all this, the common man seeks change, but his innate apathy and inertia keep him alive in the hope that a messiah will arrive someday and solve all these problems. The leaders of a coup often come in the guise of such a messiah. Taking advantage of the (buoyant) mood of the masses, they make promising announcements concerning employment, housing, health and education as soon as they gain power. They announce the beginning of a new era, full of hope and the demise of an evil era marred with corruption. The beginning of the new era is marked by a big buzz about cleansing society. Corrupt officers are sacked while lower-level officials and clerks are locked up in jail. Streets are cleaned, shops are refurbished, and price lists are displayed. But the whole farce reaches its rapid conclusion in a few months and slowly everything contracts to fall back in its settled place. Back to the same disappointments, the same hopelessness and a new search for a new messiah. Political parties in the Third World are controlled by landlords and businessmen, who refrain from involving the masses in this process. Their leadership is confined to the political rallies they hold and the statements they issue to the press. Political awareness and education of the masses, and their mobilization for change are detrimental to their vested interests. Consequently, they continue to gain power through political and economic crises. Many of them attach themselves to the coup for a share in the power base. Subsequently, they use these very powers to sanction loans for themselves, gain import-export licences and plots of land to increase their private wealth. Religious parties are no better. These parties support the coup because they, like the coup leaders, don't have the support of the masses. Likewise, they don't believe in elections and representative institutions. They latch on to the coup only to further their brand of religious ideologies. Over time the coup leaders offer privileges to their own handpicked trade unions, student leaders, members of the intelligentsia and religious scholars to gain their support. Consequently, the coup faces little opposition, and the few who continue to oppose it are forced into exile, jailed or tortured into acquiescence. Thus the economic classes that want to bring about revolutionary change are broken up and scattered. Meanwhile, imperial forces are often present in the form of multinational companies in the Third World. They further their profiteering interests by offering government institutions monetary assistance. They have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, and that is why, wherever there is a coup, it has the tacit support of multinational companies and imperial forces. Hence foreign and national interests become one and jointly muzzle any form of change. On the other hand, the democratic process in the Third World has a limited reach. The feudal landlord, the tribal chief and the business community wield tremendous power and influence. They contest elections from reliable constituencies where they are sure to win. Once in power they proceed to look after their own interests. In fact, in alliance with the police and other government institutions, they exploit the masses, regarding themselves above the law. Their excesses range from breaking traffic rules to punishing their opponents and even murdering them. These are excerpts from Tareekh aur siyasat (History and politics) By Dr Mubarak Ali Translated by Shahrezad Samiuddin Fiction House, 18 Mozang Road, Lahore Tel: 042-7249218 200pp. Rs 120