Anatol Lieven on democracy in Pakistan and Britain

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Anatol Lieven on democracy in Pakistan and Britain

14 Jan 2010

Speakers: Anatol Lieven

Anatol Lieven shares his thoughts on democracy in Pakistan and Britain, immigration, and bridging the gap between the 'secular West' and the Muslim world.

He begins by explaining why democracy is unlikely to flourish in Pakistan if the status quo is maintained – no government, civilian or military, has so far been able to address the ethnic and religious divisions in Pakistani society, and it is these factors that stand in the way of a more successful democracy. However, as Lieven explains, democracy hasn't failed Pakistan altogether – the country has at least remained intact, though only through the help of the military and non-radical Islam.

Lieven then looks at Britain, and plays down the threat that immigration poses to our own democracy, suggesting that there would have to be more terrorist attacks and greater social and economic strain for immigration to become a real problem. Whilst he doesn't subscribe to the 'clash of civilisations' view of global politics (the 'secular West versus the Islamic world'), Lieven does suggets that, to prevent antagonising the Muslim world, the West (in particular the US and the UK) should pursue a less aggressive foreign policy. Most importantly though, he believes we should crack down on hatemongering and abuses of free speech – both on those who preach hatred against Muslims, and those Muslims who preach hate and terrorism against the West.