How people like @BabarSattar become part the judiciary? This question speak to one of the most fundamental questions in economics and political science: How and why judicial independence arise in some societies and not others? Few thoughts. A thread. 1/6

I have been studying these questions in my PhD dissertation and I think three key factors together have played a role in Pakistan's higher judiciary being more independent. 2/6

First, 1996 Judges’ Case where the the Supreme Court curtailed the executive discretion of the President, by making Chief Justice recommendation of judge appointment binding on the President. 3/6

Second, was the lawyers movement that created "demand" for an independent judiciary. Lawyers movement for all its limitations is likely to be a phenomenal natural experiment that brought something obscure as the Independence of judiciary at the center of political debate. 4/6

Third, and often not enough talked about, it is the 18th/19th amendments to the constitution of Pakistan. The 18th amendment formalized the appointment procedure away from the executive and gave it almost entirely to judges themselves. 5/6

So, far I have evidence for the third, the role of 18th amendment on improving judicial independence and decision quality but I look forward to tackle the remaining open questions rigorously with colleagues such as @Y2Kureshi going forward. 6/6 End thread.