POLITICS, PARTIES AND VOTING BEHAVIOR IN POTHOHAR REGION. 2002-2013

Abstract

The liberal framework assumes that citizens‟ engagement with representation aims to strengthen democracy. However, in neoliberal postmodern hybrid state, the representational process seems functional instrument which undermine citizens‟ active participation in policy making process. In this wake, this thesis was designed to examine the people / voters‟ motivation to seek electoral representation in Pothohar region of Pakistan. Further, this study has evaluated the general patterns of voters‟ alignment, de-alignment and re-alignment with representation. Finally, it has found out the impediments in overcoming persistent electocracy in Pothohar and explored the selection of representation which resulted into periodical cycles of electoral volatility. By applying exploratory mixed method approach, this thesis presented evidence from a case study of the Pothohar region located in North of Punjab, which has subsistent agriculture, exposure to colonial military services and Pothohari diaspora (immigrant worker) exposed this region to neoliberal norms for embracing them rather quickly. The thesis has analyzed all the elements of superstructure such as consciousness, ideology and culture that determine electoral common sense resulting into voters‟ consent. Whereas, voter (subjective assumption) seeks connection with objective socio-political structure (representation) to optimize access with selectively responsive state in context of postmodernist subjectivity-objectivity dialogue. The empirical analysis of present study indicates that hybrid democracy‟s dependent voter agency tends to commodify social as well as political factors to negotiate with selective responsive state. The present study attempts to explore this in light of Gramscian-Marxian theoretical underpinnings about base structure and superstructure of representation in which voters operate. Superstructure of electoral representation grows out of the base (voters) and provide electoral legitimacy to ruling class' interests. Superstructure determines how the base (voting choices) operate and secure electoral consent. Further, it explores how bourgeoisie persuasive power leads to electoral subjugation of base structure in cyclical manner by common sense politics. While politics of common sense have assumed hegemonic character resulting into electocracy in Pothohar region. The voter dependent agency has been continuously reconfiguring within set of socio-political and socio-economic dispositions. While, constantly changing material conditions set out wider politics in fast urbanizing Pothohar region, which has been continuously reinforcing particular electoral habitus with dependent voter agency. The key finding of research xviii indicates that politics of voting prepare ground for political parties contesting for representation by strategically cultivating horizontal patronage network to win voter‟s consent within bourgeois ideological conception. Even the fast urbanizing Pothohar region witness unconscious transformation of subordinated masses‟ conscious, which is contrary to general liberal democratic assumptions about voter autonomy in urban living. Thus, neo-liberal urbanization facilitate political exchange manifested in common-sense politics. In which representative strategically facilitate access to voters within everyday selective responsive state in dialectical unity of power structure. Consequently, politics, parties and voting behavior centers on voter representation relationship. The politics of election is, thus, shaped by dialectics of contradiction before election and dialectical unity after election in rapidly urbanizing Pothohar region. Key Words: Political Economy, Electoral Politics, Sub-Mountainous Regions, Pothohar, Pakistan