Adil Najam
The grades are in. And, in the opinion of 263 ATP readers who voted, General Pervez Musharraf’s performance review yields an overall GPA (grade point average) of 2.53; right in between a grade of B- and C+.
(Click image for larger picture)
In this, the fourth ATP Poll (earlier: on womens’ rights here, on Gen. Musharraf’s future moves here, and on past leaders here), more than twice as many people voted as in the last ATP Poll. They were asked to grade Gen. Musharraf’s performance in four key areas: (a) domestic governance, (b) economy and development, (c) governance and reform, and (d) foreign affairs.
The results, based on the average in each area [using a 4-point scale where: A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0], is:
Domestic Governance ………… C (1.96)
Economy and Development …………B (3.04)
Governance and Reform ………… C+ (2.25)
Foreign Affairs ………… B/B- (2.88)
As we always point out, this is simply a ‘pulse of the blog’ poll and is NOT a scientific or representative survey. They are representative only of the opinions of those who voted; and of nothing more. So, lets not take it any more seriously than that. Having said that, there are a number of interesting elements in the results that are worthy of note, or at least of further discussion:
- The overall grade in each area is a broad average, but much more interesting is the distribution of the grades within each of the four areas. As with our previous Poll related to Gen. Musharraf, this distribution suggests a highly differentiated, even polarized view of his performance amongst those who voted in this Poll.
- Representative of this polarization is the fact that in each case the overall average grade lies in the middle of the range but most commonly voted grades lie at the very extreme. Indeed, in three of the four areas – “ the exception being ‘Economy and Development’, the top 2 categories are A+ and F, the two most extreme grades possible!
- While there were a significant number of readers who votes either all F’s or all A+’s, the vast majority did calibrate their performance review within the given range. It is a fair assumption that most (although not all) of these people were die-hard supporters or die-hard opponents.
- Domestic politics, quite clearly, was the area where Gen. Musharraf received the harshest assessments. Nearly a quarter of all who voted, chose to gave him an F (failing grade) in this area. One wonders what, if any, impact Nawab Akbar Bugti’s killing had on this particular grade?
- In contrast, Economy and Development is the area where he gets his highest grade (a B). He also gets the least number of F‘s (29) in this area, and also gets about twice as many A+‘s (57).
- Governance and Reform is the area where the grade distribution is (comparatively) most evenly distributed. But the second worst performance in this Poll, after Domestic Politics. The overall grade is a C+.
- In the area of Foreign Affairs the verdict seems to be most mixed. The overall average is 2.88 which lies just between a B- (2.3) and a B (3). But that is not why it is divided, it is divided because even though the highest number of A+‘s that he gets in any area is here (71, or over a quarter of all votes cast), he also gets as many as 47 F grades on Foreign Affairs. This means that just about 45 percent of all voters gave him a grade at the very extreme! One wonders how, if at all, this was affected by the fact that this Poll was taking place in the middle of his high-visibility tour to the United States?
- The calculation of the overall GPA is based on assuming that each of these four areas carries equal importance to his ‘performance’. If so, his overall GPA of 2.53 would translate to a B-/C+ performance.
Comments folks? Are these grades good? Are they bad? Do you think this is what he would get if all of Pakistan were asked? Or are you all out of touch?
I was discussing your Poll with a friend who also vsits this blog and we realized that we on the web at least get to grade him, if only for amusement. Pakistanis in Pakistan will did and will never get that opportunity!
Thank you Mr. Patexpat for speaking on behalf of the rest of us 157.5 million Pakistanis. I am glad that there is someone who has the authority to know what we are thinking and who is willing to proclaim himself as a spokesman for all of us. And, of course, we poor Pakistanis can only be spoken for by someone like you who lives abroad and therefore knows everything. We are so very thankful that you have proclaimed yourself our leader. Mr. Patexpat zindabad.
Now that you mention it, the divide is striking. One might have expected an inverted U-curve. But it is probably correct. We are on this and other things a divided society, there is no concentration in the middle, its at the edges. That is why our conversations are also edgy.
I dont think its about expats and those living in Pakistan either. They are equally divided. Those abroad just export the divisions with them.
He did quite well for himself.
Regarding rest of Pakistan, depends upon your definition of rest of Pakistan.
If it only includes the English speakers, or industrialists, businessmen or those working in corporate sector, Musharraf may stay over B in all categories. However, the rest of 157.5 million of population would give him much lower grades than this as they have yet to see the fruits of his rein trickle down to them.
However, his grades can always be brought up by increasing the percentage of Pakistani expatriates in polls.
I think voter’s assessment of his performance in the area of economy and development might be a little unrealisitc. Perhaps because appraisal in this area is based on intangible data rather than ground realities. It is right that this government is successful in generating more economic activity, however its positive effects have not moved downward yet and not even visible in near future. Therefore a grading of above average might be a little exaggerated.