Political stability has been given emphasis across the world for decades. This is because political stability, a state where the political situation of a country is reliable and predictable, is related to economic growth and prosperity, along with many other beneficial outcomes in any country. Definitely, many countries are progressing in economic and other terms because of political stability and politically stable countries are economically more developed compared to politically unstable countries. Political stability definitely fosters the economy in several ways including providing conditions for economic activities, bringing foreign investment and improving economic efficiency. Even though political stability exists in many countries, there is a lack of it in many other countries in Asia and other regions.
But political instability definitely leads to many negative outcomes, despite political instability can also cause drastic political and other changes in the existing system increasing the chance of more desirable progression in many countries. Notably, the overthrow of governments led to notable changes in the political systems in many countries. But political instability also reduces investment, harms usual economic activities and slows the pace of economic development. For example, Bangladesh experienced frequent disturbances in economic activities as offices and business had to close their activities due to frequent political strikes and hartals —a sort of political strike marked by the cessation of works and businesses —in the 1990s. Also, political instability brings other impacts including hampered educational activities, increased social crimes and corruption.
It is notable that there are many political, economic, geo-political and other causes that lead to political instability in many countries. A lack of a well-developed political system, the intention of the governments to consolidate power, the deprivation of opposition from political and other rights, a lack of credible elections, widespread corruption, the misuse of power by ruling party leaders and the repression of opposition are some of the important causes of political instability in many countries. Definitely, countries with well-developed political systems including the United States are mostly politically stable, though unstable political events sometimes occur. But many countries having ill-developed political systems that lead to ill-developed political institutions are politically unstable, despite the emphasis on political stability for decades.
Poor economic performance, an absence or inadequate rule of law and ethnic discrimination also lead to political instability. Political instability recently occurred in Sri Lanka because of its poor economic performance driven by poor economic management and several other causes. Among other causes, a lack of accountability and transparency can result in political instability in many countries. Also, transnational factors including international political instability, geopolitics and global economic crisis can cause political instability in many countries. The global economic trouble has led to political instability in several countries in recent months. Consequently, it remains unclear whether political stability can be ensured across countries and how much it is possible — even if it is possible —to secure political stability.
It is relevant to note that political stability is sometimes ensured by restraining political freedom through legal means and illegal force. This is the case in many authoritarian countries especially in Asia, South America and Africa. But the problem is that the forced political stability also leads to many negative political and other outcomes including the misuse of power and rising corruption among political leaders and public administrations. More importantly, legally restrained and illegally forced political instability cause more political instability as it is often associated with major political movements of opposition parties and/or people, political revolutions, coups, civil wars and political assassinations. Moreover, repressed political stability can result in the economic oppression of many including oppositions.
Definitely, political stability is desired for economic, political and other benefits. To secure political stability, the causes of instability need to be well-addressed. Political stability is desired to be ensured by developing a stable political system — instead of force —and providing political freedom to all, no matter whether a country adopts presidential, semi-presidential, parliamentary or any other government system. Importance needs to be given to a stable political system and credible elections so that people’s representatives come to power, as electoral manipulation cause political instability in many countries. The political repression of opposition and others also needs to be ended. But the earnest role of those who are in power is crucial to secure political stability.
