Social capital and Pakistan

Social capital refers to a culture of trust and cooperation which makes collective action possible .Putnam (political scientist and professor of public policy) (2002) says it is ability of community to develop the ‘’I’’ into ‘’WE’’.  Social capital sustains social cooperation.  The notion of social capital has been around for decades. Putnam links social capital with civic culture.  Social capital creates the environment of bonding networks of people who came from similar background and works as a bridge between dissimilar types. Our values, institutions and practices participate in shaping social capital of society.

 Pakistan is Islamic state so has its own values, institutions and practices. We see this in Pakistan’s constitution 1956 the ceremonial post of Head of state (or president) was reserved for Muslims.   Despite the rejection of this act in 1962 the status remained same in 1973 constitution and onwards.  Pakistan is included in those countries where state becomes first and the process of building a nation later on. Pakistan, informal institutions e.g. sitting of a people together in evening (village chupaal) is a great source of shaping social capital.   Formal institutions e.g. our textbooks cultivates how leaders got independence, army role, Islamic heroes, concept of jihad. These all become a source of binding and bridging nation.   Newspapers, president speech, cricket matches, reunions, family get to gather etc also a big source of creating social capital.

This social capital in other words also creates tolerance and relationship of trust .In  Pakistan role of social capital is very strong that can seen  in the relationship of trust among masses where   masses also scarify  personal needs for the mutual goal.  But after the independence the feeling of sacrifice and tolerance trust is becoming low.   The main cause of this falling social capital ratio seems to be the feudalism in Pakistan.  But the war of 1965 again became strong social capital of masses.  The 1970 is dark phase of Pakistan because of linguistic ethno political issues   broke down the state and East Pakistan become Bangladesh.   But after Gen yaha  (1971) Z.A. Bhutto  (1973) takes the credit of building strong social capital via 1973 constitution that was a source of binding  and bridging of nation.  The nation saw democratic phase but it doesn’t last for a long period. And again Marsh law imposed. And Gen Zia becomes the sixth president of Pakistan. But unfortunately the Zia’s regime is unable to gain the trust of masses also fails to build social capital (in other words failed in binding similar and bridging  gap between dissimilar backgrounds)  moreover   some people assumed Islam as burden ,again      1985 to 1999 the nation get the pleasure of enjoying democracy .  This periods to some extent helps in creating social capital, again 1992 world up created strong environment of social capital.  kargil war 1999 created the environment of binding and bridging.  Although the feudal culture remained hindrance in developing social capital in real words as it creates hate among poor and rich.   After this little span of democracy, 1999- 2005 was Gen Muhsraf regime.  In that period Pakistani nation also had weak social capital e.g. amendment in Hudood ordinance, earthquake, Lal masjid conflict.  But in his regime in Pakistan saw a lot of media channels .This change was expected to be a tool for nation building.   Pakistani nation became a heavy viewers of media that suck the communication among people thus reduced the social capital. Zardari’s regime 2008- still, in this nation is not on the road to social capital development. This   regime is in other words is called a restless and disputed regime.  This regime that came in to being by uniting the nation because of assassination of Banzir Bhutto (daughter of Z.A. Bhutto) .  But unfortunately, this regime fails to sustain this mutual cooperation .Moreover this widened poor and elite class and created hatred among nation.  Last year 2010 Pakistan, caught in natural disaster of flood. Again nation become strong once again on this disaster and interest of nation and government is mutual once again. But this cooperation was not as strong on 2005 earthquake.  But still we have some things common; our mutual interest and we work as nation.

Sum of all above, we can say this social capital can bring change in society.  Pakistani nation become mutual or gain social capital in the period of holy month Ramzan, Namaz, Zakat, Hajj. These all give us the lesson of how being a nation we become strong and practice the Putnam concept of social capital.   But for the practicing the social capital in Pakistan feudal system, Hippocratic attitude of governments should be abolished. The political leaders should govern as father (treat the nation equally).  The policy makers should point out the importance of social capital with physical capitals, also celebrate different days relating to Pakistani history like coming event 23^rd March, 6 Spet, and others, moreover Prime minister and President should hold informal meeting with nation with no obstacles. Use media in promulgating social capital or civic culture.  All of above suggestions and many others can be used for the development of nation building that which is possible via social capital.