69
In February I wrote an article on these pages called The blocked elite. Today after following all the excitement amongst the urban middle-class youth and in the populist electronic media about Imran Khan’s successful show in PML-N’s stronghold, Lahore, I believe the concept of the blocked elite needs a revisit.
One can understand the euphoria that penetrated the ranks of many young Pakistanis who are seeing Imran’s long-drawn arrival on the country’s mainstream political scene as some kind of a revolutionary movement in the making. Of course, one should bear in mind we are talking about a generation that gets its history lessons and learns politics not from academically sound books, research papers or even from good old-fashioned discourses between differing ideological poles but from finger-wagging orators masquerading as talk-show hosts, ‘security analysts’ and televangelists, or worse, from those dramatic documentaries that claim to unearth everything from modern Freemasons, to 9/11 conspiracies to the ‘al-dajjal’ (anti-Christ) on YouTube!
Imran’s rally had absolutely nothing to do with any sort of a revolution. Or, to put it in the context of what I am about to launch into, the rally was certainly miles away from the conventional understanding of revolution that exists between the French Revolution (1789) and Russian, Chinese, Cuban and even Iranian revolutions of the 20th century. Ever since the end of the Cold War (1989-91), the many revolutionary uprisings that have taken place in the former communist countries and in numerous Asian and Arab countries after 1991, have all revolved more around urban middle-class aspirations (or frustrations) rather than on any classical Marxist (proletarian/working class) or Maoist (peasant) interpretations of revolution/uprising.
What has happened in the Arab countries during the ‘Arab Spring’ and what is happening in the urban areas of Punjab, were/ are largely middle-class driven events, emerging from what is called the ‘blocked elite’ — i.e. an educated middle-class that feels it has what it takes to become a power-elite but its path is being blocked by a corrupt, unfair and autocratic regime, even if elected. But the question arises, what exactly are middle-class ideals in this context?
In the classical sense they should be democracy, economic stability, good governance and maintenance of law and order. But in the post-Cold War world such ideals have become blurred, especially in Muslim countries like Pakistan where the middle-class has largely begun to perceive democracy as something akin to populist chaos or a way for the West to impose its own political agenda and values.
That’s why in spite of the fact that Pakistan is one of the few Muslim countries that has seen a number of democratic setups, religious groups have made deep inroads into the middle-class psyche.
It is the country’s middle and lower-middle-classes that have (especially since the late 1970s) gone on to air these groups’ thoughts and anti-West rhetoric. But this hasn’t meant the transforming of the country into a strict theological state headed by an amirul momineen. And that’s because associated with these classes’ conservatism is a pragmatic factor that sees classes usually end up supporting conservative democratic parties (like PML-N), whereas it is the ‘masses’ (at least as voters and steps below the blocked elite) are the ones that have always kept religious parties at bay by voting for various left-liberal and quasi-secular, populist, political outfits.
For example, we have seen how the blocked elite in Arab countries demonstrated their aspirations to topple the autocratic elite and are more than likely to elect conservative (but democratic) Islamic parties to parliament. The blocked elite is inherently conservative and its most animated expression, the urban, middle-class youth, may exhibit populist fervour and revolutionary posturing, their main goal remains to (rather unapologetically) find for themselves and their class a place in the ruling political elite apparatus that they believe they have been denied.
In other words these uprisings have nothing to do with crushing the system or even the ‘establishment’, but instead to force it to be readjusted in a way that would allow the entry of the middle-classes in the same political apparatus that they denounce as being flawed. Of course, the sub-text here being that the people heading the apparatus and the system are flawed, not the system itself. It is a sheer delusion thus to associate such uprisings to any popular notions of revolution.
In Pakistan the blocked elite, especially ever since the 1990s, has somewhat always been repulsed by populist democracy, fearing that a popularly elected government too may end up blocking their upwardly mobile ambitions as does an autocratic one. This sentiment is actually an echo of what we call the military-establishment – an elite that nervously and with disdain is always in a tense tussle with the civilian power elite.
That’s why journalist and publisher, Najam Sethi, is correct to describe Khan’s rally in Lahore as largely pro-establishment.
Khan has arrived as not only a horse the establishment can bet on now, but his colourful arrival is also a reflection of the aspirations of Pakistan’s blocked elite to find their way into those corridors of civilian power elite that comes in through the process of an election but is a tricky proposition for the military establishment to handle.
Nevertheless, to the much cringing and whining of the blocked elite, it is still this civilian power elite that remains rooted in the economic and political aspirations, not of the blocked elite, but of the simply blocked and thus doomed, masses.
It is now time for our youth to open their minds and think about the consequences that will follow if a self righteous, 'I know it all' leader seize power in this country. The same kind of support welcomed Castro and Qaddafi, and look how they ended up 'improving' lives of their countrymen.
Please remember Good cannot be defined as absence of something bad, rather it is presence of something good in the real sense that is beneficial for the society. Imran Khan is not corrupt, but that doesn't make him a leader. This romanticism with change has to stop as change is not ALWAYS for the good!
NFP believes that next to Mao tse Tung, Zardari is the greatest revolutionary Asia has produced.
Sorry Nadeem Sahib, but your article doesn't make much sense to me. Looks like you were not in the rally to feel the revolutionary mood..
Cowards only criticse as they dont have guts to solve a problem or present a solution!
By writting this article you are disrespecting all those who gathered at Minar-e-Pakistan… learn to appreciate someone… or if you are not happy with Imran then give us solution… criticising someone is the easiest thing to do!
Sarah
I have serious reservations with this article.
I'm no IK/PTI supporter, so I'll be the first to say that the events in Pak so far don't look anything like a revolution (if we ever had a revolution recently, it was the lawyer's movement) because a revolution almost necessarily comes from outside the system.
I disagree with NFP because he equates a revolution to a revolution in the "classical" Marxist/Maoist sense i.e. one that is driven by the lower classes. However, all the revolutions he talked about were driven by the middle class; none were driven by the lower classes. Starting from the French Revolution to the Russian, to the Eastern European to the Arab; The first people to rise up were disaffected middle class who were threatened economically or socially. I think NFP needs to leave the old Marxian intellectual bubble and read other historians who offer an alternative narrative to those events.
Completely agree with you … and also the notion/theory of the Blocked Elite seems a little far-fetched.
100% agree with you!
NFP! What solution do you propose? I know …guess what..NO MORE INK IN YOUR PEN!!!
Let IK try..Do you expect any worst to happen…
I enjoy NFP satire most of the time.I beg to differ today. I dont think anyone can be perfect but describing Khans followers as just the rich and elite is wrong. I agree that many educated middle class are supporting him. I have been in the US for many yrs now . I dont have any say with the so called Establishment and i can tell you there are scores of Pakistani here who support Khan. Why do i support him not because the ESTABLISMENT told me so but because he is the only one i have seen helping the Poor of the country for many years now. When the Floods happened he leaded from the front and people supported him with their donation . Getting Cancer care to poor people. So NFP i beg to differ with your thoughts and support Imran for what he has done for my people not because establisment told me so……
Sir:
Your time has come and gone. You cannot stand being marginalized. Imran Khan is here to stay. He is like a breath of fresh air. Your stale and outdated comments will not dampen our hopes or tarnish his image.
Javed Qamer
Virginia
Imran lacks the administrative experience. He is passionate but that rarely has the passion moved the mountains. I believe that Sharif brothers are more passionate and have an excellent team who has a proven track record of delivery such as Motorway, Yellow cabs, Murree/Pindi developments and more. Imran should combine forces with them.
Somebody had a writer's block!!!
NFP, Why don't you admit your analysis was wrong about IK all this time rather than writing such a weak article with no real substance behind it. I know it is a bitter pill to swallow after what Imran proved in spite of skeptics like you and also Najam Sethi. However Najam Sethi was also gracious in congratulating Imran Khan on his achievement unlike you.
NFP, do you support the current corruption? If Imran Khan represents no change, what do you suggest people should do? Your article rubbishes Imran Khan and calls for inaction and apathy. Do nothing and let the current rot continue.
I will appreciate if you could suggest what masses, specially youth should do in the forthcoming elections
Turkey military establishment had a lot of power in their Govt but Erdogan (a democratically elected and uncorrupted leader) was able to clip its powers by more democracy (referendums) and lifting the standard of living of its people. So its time to give IK a chance.
Excellent, let us try IK, I am sure that result will be the same. All powers are vested in establishment, which now wants to remain behind the scene and plant new faces. We have 'zalim jagirdars' corrupt bureaucracy, corrupt clergy, corrupts and inefficient trading class (whole trader community pays 28 crore tax, whereas only Tariq Road traders are liable to pay more that said amount). Still we are waiting for miracle to come and clean Pakistan.
Nadeem is a serious analyst, mostly right and hence and his words should not be taken lightly even if one disagrees with his conclusions. I hope that the "disenfranhised" middle class, especially the you tube youth, despite their intellectual myopia, can somehow change the status quo and the grip of the military, feudal, mullah, business, bureaucracy on Pakistan, and fumblings of an incoherent and "playing to the gallery" CJP, getting a kick out of his self serving ego centric fulminations. Which help neither the oppressed or punish the oppressor. Great going Nadeem. Your smoke clears the lungs !!!!
I always wished our writers and media personnel be honest with their pen. NFP has much more intellect and depth than this.
It appears that IK has become a status symbol of upper urban middle class which has always endorsed establishment agenda.
Can please NFP state who he supports for the election to be held in 2013. I am sure a lot of people would like to know.
Wow your amateur hour seems longer than usual.
Absolutely right….
Imran made all motherhood statements one can ever make! It is a child's guess whether he will start a revolution or not.
Nevertheless, after a very long time some Pakistani politician could collate all the issues and said in one meeting that he can solve them… that's a start.
Nadeem, what is it that forces you to hate Imran so much, is it his good looks? is it his elite education? is it the way he has with ladies? is it with his success in cricket? is it his successful philanthrophy? I think you need to get rid of the anti-Imran paranoia out of your system to lead a normal life.
I did not read the article as I knew what was coming and by the reading the comments I think I did the right thing. One wonders every week NFP is criticizing someone, shouldn't he be giving some practical solutions rather than his biased views?
Well….that is very typical of NFP. Whether Imaran Khan is supported by agencies or not, that is not the question. The question arises if not Imran then who? the same old faces that we are trying for past couple of decades? As i analyze the current situation we are at the rock bottom of the ocean. In my opinion we need to give Imran Khan a chance.
Come election and Imran will align with PPP and also MQM,dekh lena.
Unfortunate that though Media is free they are shrill and biased. Pakistan needs to workout its way. I don't know how and when. Hope a Anna in Pakistan will convince the masses for a total change.
Children go watch Arrivals or something, Well Done NFP, these Blocked Elite Kids dont know what the phrase "Political Struggle" means
NFP!!! I read your articles regularly. Some are great, some are good and some are pathetically predictable like this one. I dont know what to imply from this article. Whether you dont want blocked elite to come up and let them remain in gutters for forever or you are doing criticism for the sake of criticism on Imran khan.
Ok This is not a revolution and PTI acts funny sometimes but MQM acts funny twice a times than PTI and as you are the flag bearer of the liberals and the left wingers, you dont see the MQM with the same prism as you see PTI, as result your articles now lack that punch because we even know what you are going to write next. That is the level of your predictably.
Some sarcasm and criticism is good but a seasonal operator like you must know that excess of anything is bad.
NFP as usual good insight. I request Pakistani people to judge people skeptically on the basis of their policies and not on sheer rhetoric.
Some people just like to stand out in crowd by carrying different opinions just for the sake of being different, NFP is one of them.
Another great article by NFP and yes with the sort of response seen in the comments I am more convinced you are making sense because when people start barking at you it means you are right and winning.
IK is not in making of any revolution and he may actually lead the replacement of the existing elites with socalled blocked elites in the power corridor… realistically speaking.
However, in a country as corrupt and as badly governed as Pakistan IK is a hope for better governance and less corruption. His personal credentials make him the best amomg the worst choices that we Pakistanis have on political landscape.
its hard for some to accept the truth, like it or not imran is the only hope, revolution is when there is a change within ourselves. the youth of pakistan now have a hope, instead of leaving the country now want to be part of this gr8 change.
I most of the time like Smocker corner except this article.Imran is opposing war whereas the establishment wants to continue to get more military aid.Imran is not a saleable commodity.
Wow!
It seems that "blocked elite" people are same as "I am Anna" people of India…
Excellent article sir!
This is the problem with the 'Popular Politics'. Politicians say what the majority of the people want to listen.
Just imagine, would a politician be popular if he openly talks about secularism etc. among youth in today's Pakistan? I don't think so. Popularity of IK is the reflection of the mindset of young generation. Three decades of indoctrination in the form of text books etc. is now ripe and ready to pay dividends.
On an unrelated note, for the first time I started liking PML(N) for its stance on the positive relationships with India and acknowledgment that we (India and Pakistan) have same culture.
Couldn't agree more. Thats the reality
Somehow it sounds like NFP is scared of Imran coming into power.
A lot of people are and I wonder why. Imran actually HAS the support of all those people in the crowd and much more.
Imran already has a proven track record of helping the people of this country. Can ANY other Pak politician even claim the same?
opposition just for the sake of opposition.
Rubbish article as usual by NFP…waste of time
‘blocked elite’ !!
Wow!! that truly describes the Anna movement that uses corruption as pretext to run down democracy..
Essentially these people are not against corruption. They hardly squirm paying and accepting bribes and other dubious means [bedi, bhusans]. These guys essentially feel usurped by likes of mayawati, raja, lalu.
Don't even bring something like the Anna movement here – that was *not elitist* and *not anti-democracy*. When all democracy can do is produce ultra-corrupt leaders and a systemic dependence of millions on corruption as a life-choice – someone had to take a final stand. I personally am not all pro-Anna and feel that he is as opportunistic as any politician, but I do feel that he did the right things and brought home the point to the ruling Congress that "enough is enough". His attempt to push his agenda to a solid conclusion by hurting the Congress where it can injure the most – defeats in voting and elections, was brilliant.
The "corruption is enough" Anna's message is still to be driven fully home autocratically or otherwise, but at this point Powar and Congress are playing a great street game now by keeping Anna and his support team distracted to the hilt (Online Anna blog – eliminated, Supporter credibility – slowly eroded, Dissensions and egos have suddenly started to appear). This is why Anna was wary of Sharad Powar and we see now, exactly why.
Well said Akram!!! Even I dont support Anna, I support the cause he's fighting for..
ziaphobia
NFP come out from this nightmare think something positive.
In this knowledgeable age when Sheikh Google is at hand to provide all type of answers, why does any 'blocked' elite require the services of an 'Imran Khan'? What are the names of the leaders in the Arab Spring? If the Arbs can achieve revolution without leaders why can't we?
NFP as always thoughtful and very correct. Though i am a BIG imran khan fan but i dont like PTI policies coz they sound more like GHQ policies than any political party. There is a BIG danger that ISI will use IMRAN for its own agenda (like they did with NAWAZ in 90z) and then discard him when he tries to question. But because PTI fans are , what you yourself described as, YOUTUBE conspiracy vid lovers, their inability to see this danger will make them criticize anyone who talks against IMRAN. Will IMRAN be another GHQ pawn in PAK politics we will surely see soon.
this article tries to paint patriarchal & feudal society such as pakistan into right and left western concept. pakistan is never been goverend by true representative democracy. civilian or military have little empathy for common man. they only serve to their interest most of them are incompetent. socialist, communist, islamist, autocratic/military models have imitated over and over and failed, its time for something new tht works for people and they have to perticipate in it to ensure tht it dosn't fail like others before. The bottom line is current bread of politicians in pakistan are like barrel full of crabs who are tryin to reach to the top while pullin each other down.
typical rhetoric of NFP. you could simply predict now what he is going to say…
Agree
finally
Before your fan boys come and start going "well done NFP", "you hit the nail on the head NFP", "Imran Khan is a hypocrite" and so on..
I want to ask is it necessarily a bad thing that the 'blocked elite' want a piece in the system? In the Arab world this blocked elite bought on democracy and removed autocratic tyrannical rulers. We may disagree with the people they chose to be in power instead, but why is it a problem if the 'blocked elite' do so via a popular vote?
Same is the case with Imran Khan. If he chooses to ride on the wings of the establishment forsaking popular vote that is wrong, but if he comes into power via free and fair democratic elections why is it a problem?
Or was the whole purpose of this article that IK cant come into power without the establishments dirty tricks?
Looks like you missed the point. That's still not a revolution.
The fundamenmtal question you need to ask is what is the purposeof power. Is it to enable a small blocked class to jump on the gravy train to the detriment of the masses. If so then Imran is your man. To ensure that Pakistan which is an historical mistake can convert into a country where injustice and exploitation do not exist because of a system of law and governance that will not permit it is frankly asking too much of pakistan. It simply does not have the intellect nor the leadership.
So you wasted so much ink on describing a fact that middle class wants to be treated equally as the powerful elite??? who doesn't!
Pakistan's mentally challenged 'liberal' elite can not gulp this fact that Imran is a rising star of Pakistan. I'm ambivalent about him but reactions of certain sections of Pakistani society really astonish him.
This is what Najam Sethi said about MQM: 'MQM is a pro-establishment part these days and, at one point, was ready to take sides with army to topple PPP government.Remember Altaf's calling for 'patriotic' generals.'
As for PPP, we know it is more than ever pro-establishment.
Here is the catch: If a left-wing, liberal, and secular party decides o sit in the lap of establishment, abandonds its constitutional domains of ofreign policy and defnse to a state institution and chooses to beome virtually a hostage to the designs of agencies, then it is fine, 'pragmatic', and indeed in the very interest of country.
But if a conservavtive, middle-class, and right-of-the-centre party chooses to be in cahoots with military then perhaps it does not bide well for country.
This is quite sstrange. The inherent contrasictions of both left and right in Pakistan have debilitated politics in Pakistan. Both are hypocrites in a lot of respects. Imran is perhahps just another choice this country has.
But NFP is suggesting that if one elite is opposing Imran, then another elite is supporting him, and that the masses have nothing to do with this drama.
Utter rubbish.
I'd take exception with a few things in this article. I don't support all of Imran khans ideas, but he has certainly done something commendable. First of all, i would like to agree with you that the word "revolution" is being thrown around very loosely when it comes to Iran khan or his movement. But where I differ is that it doesn't matter in this case what you call it. You can call it a populist uprising, a revolution, a revolt, or simply a potential power shift from the old politics of Pakistan where votes are cast by historical affiliations to a new paradigm where people's sentiment is driving their choices. To belittle what Imran khan has managed to do in accumulating such a large following because somehow its mislabeled is not doing the man justice. After a Very long time, someone in Pakistan has managed to bring out people, not by forcing them, or coersion or bribery, but by his personal appeal.
If I understand what you have written, you seem to imply that the blocked elite doesn't want any real change or improvement in the country, but rather simply a piece of the pie. I think you are wrong about that, but even assuming you are right, I don't think there's anything wrong with the demands of the youth of a country that is educated and has tremendous potential. I don't think they want a piece of the pie. They want to grow the pie. And certainly they want to reap the rewards. Any country grows because it provides an environment in the country where business can thrive. When business thrives, money flows. When money flows, people on the fringes start seeing some of them. You might see improvements in the crime rate. Etc etc. my point being if we can get the youth of this country interested in politics, and use their ambition to bring about a change in this country, for the better, then I don't think any of us should complain.
As for your points about pro or anti establishment, it is people like you and me and our older generations that have given the army so much power. We sang songs in their honor, we let them get away with the crimes we now wish to impeach them for because suddenly the people of Pakistan. I am certainly no fan of the army's actions and control over our politicians, but if there's one thing we learn, is that no matter how anti establishment the sentiment in Pakistan may be, no matter how much we think nawaz will this time reign in the generals, the truth of the matter is once they are in that seat of power, they start fearing for its loss, and bow down to the power of the generals because they know the generals and the army is some of a necessary evil, and it's best to have them in your corner. So whether Imran is pro establishment or not, is kind of irrelevant.
If you were to build a pro and cons lists of any party that could be in power, Imran might not have any more pros than the current ones, but I guarantee you he won't have any fewer pros and he certainly will have fewer cons. And that alone Is worth giving him a chance. And yes, some of his policies might be naive, And I certainly don't agree with a lot of them, but that doesntm mean I don't also realize that his ills might be fewer than the two other choices available.
Strongly disagree with NFP. Imran is not perfect but simply put he is the only person on political scene who makes some sense. Else every political joker Krom KHI to PEW is simply non-sense, selfish and worthless.
Lahore is not a PML-N city but every one's city. Lahore is the center of Pakistan's politics and culture. Imran correctly chose Lahore to deliver his simple and brilliant message. He gave Pakistanis hope and talked about Pakistan's strengths. His optimistic message gave people some hope. That's not the message of either selfish Elites or the Establishment.
NFP, please at some point, start making sense and have a good use of your pen. You should act more mature than you do now. I know you are little brilliant.
In other words what you mean to say is that NFP will only make sense if he decides to praise Imran. Wah, bhi.
In summation, this is a desperate article written by an individual who represents, in totality, the sickly 'blocked' pseudo-secular anti-people brigade in Pakistan who are losing their grip on power. Stretch, after stretch, the article attempts to castigate those who suggest a 'revolution' is in the making in Pakistan with PTI's success in galvanizing people. Revolution, for serious scholars, are encouraged to review Hannah Arendt's insight in this regard, not sloppy wordiness by Nadeem. Hannah, poignantly describes revolutions as a shift in the internal power dynamics of a society and, here, that is precisely what is happening. Not, as foolishly Peracha would have us believe, by the blocked elite usurping the rights of the masses. But, on the contrary, by excluded segments of society disempowering this unrepresentative class of people, such as Nadeem, from positions of power that they have inherited. This is revolutionary. One can rest assured that the success of the PTI rally was precisely because the 'Rickshaw' men and Fruit vendors were there, in full force, at Minar-i-Pakistan. I accept more thorough research and scholarship from writers in this newspaper. Not those 'ideologically' driven as he clearly is. It's just that Nadeem's secular ideology flies in the face of most of Pakistanis. I suppose, he is blind to that.
That's right, this is all about ideology. Unlike the immaculate Imran Khan and PTI, which are ideology free, and the only true saviors of Pakistan.
Only Imran cares. None of his critiques want Pakistan to succeed, NONE!!!
Couldn't have said it better, Ghazi Shah Sahab.
A rather interesting observation. However, if the masses were to jump in and subvert the blocked elite, and take over the revolution, they could have a different outcome – that of establishing a different order, perhaps a more democratic setup that might be based on agrarian reforms, increased domestic spending and constrained military. For that to happen, a parallel organization needs to be setup that feeds off this energy and chaos that the blocked elite have created. But such a parallel setup does not seem to exist, at least so far.
NFP has hit the nail in the head. The voter of Pakistan is not so simple not to note the contradictions of the Quixotic Khan. As a result of any future electoral exercise the great khan is bound to contend himself with the humble pie he has been eating for the last fifteen years.
Recently in an Interview (Bolta Pakistan), Umar Cheema was asked had Tehreek e Insaaf evolved some mechanism to screen out non-tax paying politicians who wish to join Tehreek-e-Insaaf. He replied, "We are determined and working on it"
The party that says "Eradication of corruption is our motto", still has no mechanism to weed it out and working on it.
At this point ,I think it is unfair to give any judgement about the nature of IK movement.He has clear cut advantage of corruption free history over his rivals and deserves a chance as compare to anyone else.