The Influence of the Middle Class on Political Transformation: A Study of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Evolving Political Culture

Abstract

The purpose of this research paper is to explore the influence of the middle class on political transformation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan regarding their participation in politics and the challenges they face.This study is to examine how the middle class contributes in shaping the political space of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and what hurdles they fall in their capability of making an impact. Qualitative methodology is applied, using semi structured interviews to elicit the perceptions and experiences of sixteen respondents from a wide background of the middle class. It is found that the middle class holds a major role of political instrumentalities in KP as they participate in elections, policy advocacy and social reform. They contribute to political discourse and to the building up of a democratic culture because they rely on their intellectual and educational capital. Serving as bridge between traditional political structures and modern governance, they represent a move away towards more grassroots based political participation. But the research also finds fault with many of the challenges of the middle class in assuming full responsibility in the shaping of political culture. These factors embody entrenched feudal and tribal systems, political instability and the large role of the military in politics. Internal fragmentation with the middle class, as well as economic discrepancies also contributes to their unorganized political engagement. Overall, the study finds that while the middle class in KP is a critical agent of change towards political transformation, their efforts in that direction are limited by structural barriers, as well as by other socio political challenges.