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Governing The Ungovernable

BOOK BY ISHRAT REVIEW

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0% found this document useful (1 vote)
1K views

Governing The Ungovernable

BOOK BY ISHRAT REVIEW

Uploaded by

laiba iftikhar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Governing the Ungovernable

During your CSS preparation, it is very important to read multiple books.


These are the ones that help the student to develop a deep understanding of
the different concepts. Similarly, reading something out of your syllabus
always brings a different perspective and attraction to your written papers.
However, it is very tiring to read many books during preparation because
most of the time students get less time for the extra books. Therefore, the
easiest way is to read summaries of a few important and note down
important concepts and takeaways to quote different opinions.
I have taken a few notes from one of the most important books to read
during your CSS preparation.

CSS Book Summary: Governing the Ungovernable


Overall Summary:

"Governing the Ungovernable" by Ishrat Husain is a seminal work that offers


a profound analysis of the challenges embedded in the governance structure
of Pakistan and presents insightful recommendations for comprehensive
reforms. Drawing on his rich experience as a respected economist and
former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Ishrat Husain meticulously
dissects the historical underpinnings of governance in Pakistan, shedding
light on the institutional dynamics that have shaped the country's political
and economic landscape.

The book commences with a candid examination of the historical legacy that
has contributed to the governance issues in Pakistan, addressing deep-
seated problems such as corruption, inefficiency, and political interference.
Husain provides a critical appraisal of the existing governance structures and
practices, laying the foundation for a robust discussion on the need for
transformative reforms.

A central theme of the book revolves around the imperative to shift from a
patronage-based governance model to a meritocratic and transparent
system. Husain advocates for the depoliticization of institutions, emphasizing
the crucial role of professionalism in fostering efficiency, accountability, and
integrity within government bodies.

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to outlining a comprehensive


roadmap for governance reform. The author delves into key sectors such as
the civil service, the police force, and the judiciary, proposing concrete
measures to address structural deficiencies and enhance their efficacy. The
vision presented by Husain is rooted in a commitment to creating a
governance framework that is responsive to the needs of the people and
capable of fostering sustainable development.
In addition to domestic challenges, Ishrat Husain explores the impact of a
rapidly evolving global landscape on Pakistan's governance. Globalization,
technological advancements, and climate change are discussed in the
context of their influence on governance policies. The book underscores the
importance of adaptive governance strategies that can effectively navigate
the complexities of an interconnected and dynamic world.

"Governing the Ungovernable" is more than a critique; it is a constructive


guide that provides actionable insights for policymakers, scholars, and
individuals interested in the nuanced understanding of governance dynamics
in Pakistan. The author's expertise and pragmatic approach make this book
an invaluable resource for those seeking to contribute to the ongoing
discourse on governance reform in Pakistan.

Ten Important Takeaways from the Book:


1. Historical Analysis of Governance in Pakistan: The book provides a
thorough historical analysis of governance in Pakistan, shedding light on the
institutional legacies that have influenced the country's political and
economic landscape.
2. Challenges in Governance: Ishrat Husain candidly addresses the
challenges faced by Pakistan's governance structures, including issues such
as corruption, inefficiency, and political interference.
3. Shift to Meritocracy: A key takeaway is the call for a paradigm shift
from patronage-based governance to a more meritocratic and transparent
system. The author emphasizes the importance of professionalism in
enhancing efficiency and accountability.
4. Depoliticization of Institutions: The book advocates for the
depoliticization of institutions, stressing the need to insulate government
bodies from political interference to ensure fair and effective governance.
5. Comprehensive Reforms in Key Sectors: Ishrat Husain outlines a
roadmap for governance reform, proposing concrete measures for
restructuring key sectors such as the civil service, the police force, and the
judiciary.
6. Local Governance Empowerment: The author argues for a more
decentralized governance structure, empowering local governments to
address the diverse needs of different regions effectively.
7. Adaptive Policies for Global Challenges: The book addresses the
challenges posed by a rapidly changing global environment, discussing the
impact of globalization, technological advancements, and climate change on
governance. It emphasizes the need for adaptive policies to navigate these
transformations.
8. Professionalism and Accountability: A recurrent theme is the
importance of promoting professionalism within governmental institutions
and fostering a culture of accountability to enhance the overall effectiveness
of governance.
9. Integrity in Governance: Ishrat Husain underscores the significance of
integrity in governance, highlighting the need for ethical conduct and
principled decision-making to build trust and credibility.
10. Sustainable Development Focus: The book is rooted in a
commitment to creating a governance framework that is responsive to the
needs of the people and capable of fostering sustainable development in
Pakistan.
Conclusion:

In conclusion, "Governing the Ungovernable" by Ishrat Husain stands as a


seminal work that not only diagnoses the deep-rooted challenges in
Pakistan's governance but also charts a course toward comprehensive and
pragmatic solutions. Husain's historical analysis lays bare the complexities
that have shaped the nation's governance structures, prompting readers to
confront issues such as corruption, inefficiency, and political interference.
The pivotal takeaway from the book is the imperative to shift from
patronage-based governance to a meritocratic and transparent system.
Ishrat Husain advocates for the depoliticization of institutions, emphasizing
the crucial role of professionalism in fostering efficiency, accountability, and
integrity. The call for comprehensive reforms in key sectors, such as the civil
service and the judiciary, resonates as a blueprint for transforming the
governance landscape. Importantly, the book champions the empowerment
of local governance structures, recognizing the diverse needs of different
regions within Pakistan. Ishrat Husain's exploration of the impact of a
dynamic global environment on governance underlines the need for adaptive
policies to navigate challenges brought about by globalization, technological
advancements, and climate change. As readers navigate through the pages
of "Governing the Ungovernable," they encounter a vision that goes beyond
mere critique, offering actionable insights for policymakers, scholars, and
individuals interested in contributing to governance reform in Pakistan. The
author's expertise and commitment to sustainable development underscore
the book's significance in shaping conversations about the future of
governance in Pakistan. Ultimately, Ishrat Husain provides not just a
diagnosis of the challenges but a prescription for a more effective and
responsive governance system that can meet the needs of the diverse and
dynamic nation.

1) Introduction:
Governing the Ungovernable is a masterpiece written by Dr.
Ishrat Hussain. The book gives insights about the overall
governance structure of Pakistan by comparing the
contemporary governance structure to that of last century’s.
Author gives empirical data to support his arguments when
he tries to bust some popular myths including the popular
notion of military regimes have received more foreign aid
then their civilian counterparts. Overall, this book focuses on
the factors that have been instrumental in crippling the
economy, social fabric and international prestige of the state
of Pakistan in post 9/11 era. All in all, this book is a must
read for many linked to the academia, civil society and, of
course, the policymakers of Pakistan. In this book summary, I
will give some striking quotations from the book, its main
theme along with its justification for how this book actually
makes sense and lastly will enlist the myths debunked by this
book.

2) Quotations or the Arguments:


“The governance system Pakistan inherited from British
colonial rule is not only outdated but has deteriorated over
time. Pakistan failed to transform from a conventional
colonial bureaucracy to a creative one.”

“Poor performance of the education and health sector isn’t


due to lower allocation of budget, but because of poor
governance”
“It’s the governance and not foreign aid that is the greatest
determinant of an economic turnaround”

“The combined budget of the health and education sector as


a ratio of GDP is now higher than the military budget -to-
GDP ratio.”

“It’s a myth that Pakistan is a garrison state and needs to


spare budget from the military.”

(Book: Governing the Ungovernable)

3) Theme of This Book


Pakistan was among Asian Tigers. It was leading all of its
neighbors in almost every socio-economic indicator.
Whereas, Pakistan of today is struggling in all those very
same indicators to which it was once leading its peer
competitors. This tragedy has happened only because of the
crisis of good governance.

How has this Happened? Why Pakistan is witnessed to


have Crisis of Good Governance?
This tragedy with Pakistan is because of the lack of
competent, an independent, and politically neutral
bureaucracy. Pakistan upon its creation had inherited a
competent bureaucracy that not only made sure the
impressively high growth rate but also managed to sustain it
for up to 1980s despite many odds. Since its inception,
Pakistan had faced odds like rehabilitation of almost 8
million refugees, twelve years dictatorship, debacle of
Dhaka, nationalization of key sectors of economy,
Islamization of Zia regime and Afghan jihad of 1980s.
However, despite all these humongous challenges, Pakistan
was able to manage growth rate throughout these years and
all this was because of competent and independent
bureaucracy.

Whereas, bureaucracy of today is politicized and largely


incompetent. And its path towards hell was paved by the
Bhutto regime in 1970s, when he removed the constitutional
guarantees to the bureaucrats, used political institutions for
his own selfish self interests, and nationalized the then
thriving private industries.

4) Several Myths Busted:


1) The popular fallacy that the economy of Pakistan has
suffered mainly due to its decision of joining US-led war on
terror and its ensuing fallout. The author, however, doesn’t
agrees to this notion, and he argues that the economic
decline had started in the early 1990s- well before the
country got embroiled in the war against terror.
Furthermore, he contends, that between the period of unrest
from 2002 to 2008, the growth rate touched 6 to 7 percent
on average and the investment-to- GDP ratio peaked at 23
percentage.

2) Another popular myth that the generous foreign


assistance has been the principal determinant of Pakistan’s
economic success in military regimes is also incorrect. He
explains with empirical data that the country has received
more foreign aid during the elected governments period and
yet those governments failed to boost the economic growth
rate.

3) While refuting to another popular narrative that the US in


particular and West in general has supported military
regimes at the expense of elected ones, the author argues
that US has imposed sanctions on the military dictators let
alone supporting them at the expense of civilians. With this
notion, of course, author highlights the sanctions on Pakistan
after 1965 war, 1971 war and separation of East Pakistan
and during the earlier days of Zia regime and Musharraf
regime.

4) And lastly, the popular misconception that Pakistan’s poor


economic performance is because of its ‘Garrison State
Syndrome,’ is also a fallacy. As the ratio of defense budget to
GDP was high in the first 40 years, and is now 2.9 percent of
GDP (FY2016), of the creation of Pakistan. However, the
combined allocations for health and education as a ratio of
GDP was 3.7 percent in the same fiscal year.

4- Conclusion
The book is an eyeopener for the many who just believe in
the popular misconceptions or even propagate those notions.
It’s is a must read for those in charge of bureaucratic
responsibilities as it not only gives insights about the past
but also explains and illustrates with empirical data, the ills
in the governance system. Therefore, the book will be of
much help for academia also to initiate a comprehensive
debate on how to avert this mother of other crises.

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