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Threats to the Internal Security of Pakistan

CSS International Relations 2019 Question: How can the governing structures have the capacity to neutralize threats to the internal security of Pakistan?

National security is the major concern of every state and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure internal and external security in accordance with national interests. Pakistan has a stronger challenge to its security from internal factors as compared to external. Pakistan faces many forms of terrorism, no other country in the world is entangled in this problem as Pakistan of today.

Pakistan’s National Security

Pakistan’s national security policy should take into account its dimensions to be effective in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, economic well-being, and cultural identity. Internal security threat from militants and sectarians which has devastated the country for a decade is being dealt with the policy of zero tolerance for violence. The first National Internal Security Policy (NISP) 2013 provided policy guidelines but torn between dialogue and military action, resulted in a long period of inaction.

Threats to Internal Security of Pakistan

Security scenario changed after the 9/11 incident. Pakistan is facing internal threats; traditional and non-traditional such as extremism, separatist movements, political instability, terrorism and feudalism are the threats linked with external factors. Black Water, CIA, Raw, NDS, KGB and other security agencies of different states are trying their best to destabilize Pakistan. FATA became the source of terrorism in the country and a safe haven for terrorists. These terrorists are challenging the internal security of Pakistan, territorial integrity and are threatening the accomplishment of national interests. Along with FATA, the terrorist and insurgent activities in Baluchistan are major threats to Pakistan’s National Security.

Strategies to neutralize threats to the internal security of Pakistan

Pakistan’s political, economic and social institutions must accelerate before the radical groups gain traction to emerge as independent political force undoing the warrant of government within the state. There is a need to formulate a strategy to deal with threats.
Another strategy would be to keep a check on illegitimate activities and distinguish between religious freedom and abuse. By bringing youth into the mainstream, providing an outlet through economic prosperity. Pakistan can turn the potentials towards positive goals.
A three-pronged strategy should be adopted to secure the sectarian/jihadi monster. The first prong must stop the trend of religious intolerance. The second prong should enforce the rule of law and the third prong should consolidate the gains by introducing incentives and showing outlets through economic prosperity. This three-pronged strategy should be activated by formulating short-term and long-term goals.
Pakistan maintains a centralized bureaucratic system. Center should transfer maximum powers to provinces and provinces should dissolve powers to local governments.
The government should strengthen internal security by strengthing the economy through formulating policies, structural reforms and investment in infrastructure.
Quality of labor and quality of infrastructure along with policies will attain sustainable economic growth, bring economic prosperity and will strengthen national security.
Misunderstandings between provinces and ethnic groups within regions are dangerous for states. The government should build bridges between confronting groups and create grounds for negotiations.
Judiciary must be independent of the executive. There is a requirement of an independent judiciary for the society. The government should refrain from stepping into the judiciary domain. The system has to be purged of corrupt officials in a manner and the postings and promotions should be on merit.
Police need the training to meet the internal security threats. Their training in detection/investigation should be improved on scientific lines. Quality of already in-service police officers could improve by regular refresher courses in Pakistan and acquiring foreign courses for police officers.

Conclusion

Religious intolerance, sectarian problems, and the rise of religious extremism and militant groups are significant factors responsible for increased law and order problems. The need of the hour is for our national security planners, as politicians, bureaucrats etc to take an approach to the issue and set processes in motion by which long term and logical solution to combat the dangers arising from activities under cover of terrorism can be implemented.

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Idea of Dependence and Interdependence

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CSS International Relations 2019 Question: Critically discuss the idea of ‘Dependence and Interdependence’. Explain the advantages and disadvantages for the poor countries.

Dependence is a state of relying on or being controlled by something else. The idea of dependence is the perception that resources flow from poor states to a ‘core’ of wealthy states and create connections with other nations to enrich their output. Interdependence is the relationship between dependents and developed countries, a situation which conditions the ability of underdeveloped to develop.

Idea of Dependence

The main idea of dependence is to upgrade the condition of poor states as a result rich ones enriched by the way poor states are integrated into the “world system”. Dependency theory was formulated by Raul Prebisch for helping the poor countries out of poverty and accelerate along the path of development by investments, technology transfers, and closer integration into the world market.

Advantages of Idea of Dependence

It analyses the inequity existing between poor and rich states.
It breaks political bonds and explains the reasons why wealthy countries are taking advantage of poor states.
Theory dismisses the neoclassical theory’s claim that existing global inequity is caused by poor countries’ laziness. It argues in favor of underdeveloped countries and blames the imperialists.

Disadvantages of Dependence

On the contrary, dependency has some disadvantages:

It does not explain other factors that lead to underdevelopment other than the role played by wealthy nations.
It wrongly depends upon the Marxian concept of Surplus Value for defining the underdevelopment of poor states in terms of capitalistic exploitation.
The underdevelopment of the Third World has been due to partial industrialization and the failure of the under-developed countries to formulate and coordinate industrial policies. Poor countries have failed to exploit their resources, both material, and manpower.
Failure of the socialist system of development in the Soviet Union and the Eastern European states demonstrates that dependency cannot be overthrown by socialism.

Idea of Interdependence

Interdependence is a mutual dependence between things and is considered a valuable asset in connecting elements and creating a discussion for the relationship of states. Optimal growth leads individuals to self-actualization where they understand their strength in numbers. Interdependence provides support to individuals allowing them to support others and focus on their personal growth.

Advantages of Idea of Interdependence

As a result of interdependence, countries will choose to resolve disputes as early as possible. Political issues are resolved quickly when counties are dependant upon one another.
It produces exchanges of culture, ideas, and information enabling a better understanding of common matters. Interdependence means countries will guard one another if other countries invade, a collective defense can prevent military conquests.
If two countries are benefiting each other they are likely to overlook a problem between them, as opposed to taking actions against each other that cause mutual harm.
Division of labor gives another advantage. The more people can specialize and trade, the more efficient production becomes, and goods we want to become less expensive.

Disadvantages of Interdependence

The main disadvantage is that global decisions are “democratic” and take longer to reach and likely to be a compromise for poor countries.
As interdependence moves away from equality, the decisions become influenced by the more independent partner. The relationship has less commitment in both directions and is likely temporary.
Developed nations somehow still interfere in the domestic affairs of poor countries.
Political and economic interactions associated with the membership of organizations. eg. I.M.F, U.N.O can bring about control of sovereignty of poor countries.

Conclusion

Ideas associated with dependence are problematic and do not explain the origins of the capitalist world economy and mechanisms that sustain inequality and hierarchy within the international order. Explanations for the impact of economic interdependence on political conﬂict between poor countries have focused on factors that limited the ability of liberal dyads to pursue their goals.

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Idealism

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CSS International Relations 2019 Question: Discuss the concept of Idealism. Explain its core perceptions and define its agenda of peace for the stability of the world.

Idealism is the metaphysical view that associates reality to ideas in mind rather than to material objects. Philosophical views of Berkeley and Christian Science embrace idealist thought as they relate to the existence of a supreme, divine reality that exceeds basic human understanding and deep-rooted sensory awareness.

Concept of Idealism

Idealism stands for improving the course of international relations by eliminating war, hunger, inequality, tyranny, suppression, and violence from international relations. To remove these evils is the objective before humankind. Idealism accepts the possibility of creating a world free from these evils by depending upon reason and science. Two basic forms of idealism are metaphysical idealism, which maintains the duality of reality and epistemological idealism, which holds that in knowledge process which mind can grasp. In metaphysics, idealism is directly opposed to materialism—the view that basic substance of the world is matter and it is known primarily through and as material forms and processes. In its epistemology, it is opposed to realism, which holds that in human knowledge objects are seen as they really are—in their existence outside and independently of the mind.

Core Perceptions of Idealism

Idealism is a concept in philosophy that emphasizes that what is known is because of one’s consciousness and that which exists outside of one’s consciousness is all about perception. The Core concept of Idealism theory is famous for its simplification; its application is regarded debatable. Over the years, philosophers have interpreted in different ways. Holmes took it as metaphysics of the thinking act; Betti as a form of hermeneutics; Harris as a metaphysics of democracy; Fogu as a modernist philosophy of history. Gentile theorizes that thoughts can be assumed within the bounds of reality; abstract thinking does not exist. Thoughts cannot be formed outside our known reality because we are the reality that stops ourselves from thinking externally. With accordance to “The Act of Thought of Pure Thought”, our actions comprise our thoughts, our thoughts create perceptions, perceptions define reality, thus we think within our created reality.

An Agenda for Peace

Idealism revolves around the concept that states are logical performers capable of ensuring lasting peace and security rather than turning to war. Idealism is also marked by a prominent role played by international law and organizations in its conception of policy formation. One of the most well-known principles of modern idealist thinking is a democratic peace theory, which holds that states with similar modes of democratic governance do not fight one another.

Wilson’s idealism was a precursor to international relations theory, which would arise between “institution-builders” after World War II. The system of international relations that gave rise to the First World War was capable of being transformed into the more peaceful and just world; that under the impact of the awakening of democracy, the growth of ‘the international mind’, good works of men of peace or the enlightenment spread by their teaching. It was, in fact, being transformed; and their responsibility as students was to help the march of progress to overcome the ignorance, prejudices and threatening interests that stood in its way.

Conclusion

Idealism is a set of philosophical systems that argues that reality is dependent upon mind rather than existing independent of the mind. The idealist conclusion is therefore immediate: that which is known must be in thought and object that was not in thought would not be known.

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Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

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CSS 2019 International Relations Question: Discuss the development of the ‘Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty’ (NPT). Define its main features and explain its status in the present world?

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an international treaty which aims at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons. It was signed by the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union and 59 other states, under which three major signatories, which possessed nuclear weapons agreed not to help other states in producing them. It entered into force in 1970 and 190 states have subscribed so far. It covers elements which include disarmament, nonproliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Development of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

The early postwar efforts to achieve agreement on nuclear disarmament failed. The Soviet Union in 1949, the United Kingdom in 1952, France in 1960 and China in 1964, became nuclear-weapon states. Developments underlined the threat of nuclear proliferation. A succession of initiatives began in 1950 by nuclear and non-nuclear powers sought to check proliferation. Overall agenda of NPT started with the UK, the Soviet Union and the U.S. agree to provide assistance to nonnuclear weapon NPT members in their recreation of peaceful nuclear energy. They agreed to conduct future negotiations to stop the nuclear arms race and reduce their nuclear weapons with the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament.

Main Features of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty

1. All parties affirmed the principle that benefits of applications of nuclear technology should be available for peaceful purposes to all parties, whether nuclear or non-nuclear states.

2. All parties to this treaty are entitled to participate, in exchange of scientific information and to contribute alone or in co-operation with other states to the development of the application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

3. Benefits from any peaceful applications of nuclear explosions should be available to non-nuclear weapon states which are party to the treaty on a non-discriminatory basis.

4. Declared intention was to achieve at the earliest date, the end of the nuclear arms race, urging co-operation of all states in the attainment of this objective.

Status of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in Present World

India was in the news for application as membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a network of 48 countries that aims at preventing nuclear proliferation by controlling import and export of material that can be used in the development of nuclear power. China and other countries were in opposition to India’s membership in NSG. With constant conflicts with major nuclear powers, i.e. China and Pakistan. India cannot give up its status of nuclear power. India and Pakistan have criticized
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as discriminatory, Indian diplomat once famously mourning that NPT had led to “nuclear apartheid.” Both initiated their nuclear programs and tested nuclear weapons in 1998. Moreover, states including Iran, Israel, USA, India, Pakistan and North Korea are still seeking nuclear capabilities. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty has been effective in preventing states from seeking nuclear weapons as a deal was signed between nuclear states. The deal was that assistance and cooperation would be traded for commitment, backed by international inspection, that no plant or material would be diverted to weapons’ use. Those who refused to be part of the deal would be excluded from international cooperation or a trade involving nuclear technology.

Conclusion

Nuclear powers continue to maintain and increase their nuclear arsenals. In order to calm non-nuclear weapon states who wanted to put pressure on nuclear powers for moving towards arms control, a list of disarmament goals was attached to extension decision. The NPT has been on part of the P-5 to intact their superior N-weapon status and impose a non-proliferation regime on non-nuclear nations. After extension of NPT in 1995, the next attempt to check proliferation in favor of non-proliferation came in 1996 as the formulation of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

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