The Hereditary Party Politics of Benazir Bhutto and Political Development in Pakistan

Author(s) : Dr. Riffat Mahmood

Abstract:

Hereditary party politics has remained a norm in many developing states. The Political system of Pakistan has seen long military rules and military-backed-civilian governments. These traits have proved as a hurdle to inculcating democratic norms in the political setup of the state and the emergence of personalization traits in politics. After the first populist regime of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, powers shifted to Benazir Bhutto which gave birth to a hereditary trend in Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP). The period of Benazir Bhutto is considered the first hereditary party politics regime of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP). The paper attempts to analyze the governance under the premiership of Benazir Bhutto to ensure political development in the state. The process of political development is examined through seven indicators including institutionalization, political participation, governance, legitimacy, accountability, distribution of power and national integration. The study concludes with the fact that the rule of Benazir Bhutto was the revival of democracy in Pakistan but was characterized by centralization of power, personality-oriented decision-making, nepotism, favouritism, lack of transparency and institutional clashes. Her political measures and strategies could not get desired results due to these mentioned hurdles and the process of political development in the state could not be ensured.