Pakistani youth not enthused about democracy

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22001263

Pakistani youth 'prefer Sharia to democracy'

More than half of those surveyed said democracy had not been good for them or the country (no surprise given that 100% of Pakistanis below age 42 have ZERO experience of democracy)

Pakistani youth would prefer Islamic law or military rule over democracy, a British Council survey suggests.

More than half of 5,000 18-29 year-old Pakistanis polled said democracy had not been good for them or the country.

The only Pakistanis with actual experience of democracy are those above 62 years age -- those between 42 and 62 potentially had the chance (as they saw a fair election -- which wasn't upheld -- in 1970), those below 42 have no concepts whatsoever!

Furthermore, 94% said Pakistan was going in the wrong direction - a figure up from 50% in 2007.

Almost a third of registered voters in Pakistan are under 30 years old, and are expected to play a big part in a general election due in May.

When asked to pick the best political system, both Sharia and military rule were favoured over democracy.

The survey points towards a pessimistic generation, disenchanted with democracy after five years of civilian rule, says the BBC's Orla Guerin in Islamabad.

(only if you use a definition of "civilian rule" to be having a civilian facade with military exerting power "behind throne" -- as was obvious in 2010 when the army-chief pushed two an extension of his term AND the removal of any civilian authority to fire him). And I note Guerin CANNOT explain how one can be "disenchanted" with something one has never experienced.

Most of those surveyed had more faith in the army than any other institution.

Approval ratings for the military were about 70% compared with just 13% for the government.

A quarter of respondents said they had been directly affected by violence, or had witnessed a serious violent event.

That figure rose to more than 60% in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

The greatest concern for most was rising prices, not terrorism: Almost 70% said they were worse off now than five years ago.

While many young people are registered to vote, less than half of those surveyed said they were certain they would do so.

The last fair election in the country occurred in 1970 (and wasn't upheld -- democracy was murdered and received an indecent burial 1971/03/26), the country has not had a fair and upheld election since 1951/10/16!

Edited April 3, 2013 by Saddle Bronc