CIVIL–MILITARY RELATIONS AND DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN PAKISTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DYNAMICS AND POLITICAL STABILITY IN THE POST-2018 ELECTORAL ERA

Abstract

Civil–military relations remain a defining feature of democratic governance and political stability in many transitional democracies, particularly Pakistan. The post-2018 electoral era has been characterized by evolving institutional interactions, political polarization, constitutional challenges, and governance reforms, making it imperative to examine the relationship between civil–military relations and democratic consolidation. This study investigated the influence of civil–military relations on democratic consolidation through the mediating role of institutional dynamics and assessed their collective impact on political stability in Pakistan. Grounded in Huntington's Objective Civilian Control Theory, the study adopted a quantitative, cross-sectional, explanatory research design. Primary data were collected from policymakers, public administrators, political scientists, constitutional experts, researchers, legal practitioners, retired military officers, and governance professionals using a structured questionnaire. The proposed conceptual framework was empirically examined using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings indicate that constructive civil–military relations significantly strengthen institutional dynamics and directly enhance democratic consolidation. Institutional dynamics further contribute positively to democratic consolidation and political stability, while democratic consolidation exerts a significant positive influence on political stability. Mediation analysis demonstrates that institutional dynamics and democratic consolidation serve as significant mechanisms through which civil–military relations promote sustainable political stability. The study extends Huntington's Objective Civilian Control Theory by integrating institutional dynamics and democratic consolidation into a comprehensive framework applicable to emerging democracies. The findings provide important theoretical, practical, and policy implications for strengthening constitutional governance, improving institutional effectiveness, enhancing democratic accountability, and promoting long-term political stability in Pakistan. The study concludes that balanced constitutional relationships among state institutions, reinforced by strong democratic institutions and effective governance mechanisms, are essential for sustaining democratic consolidation and ensuring political stability in Pakistan.