Author: Christophe Jaffrelot
Publisher: Manohar
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 352
ISBN/UPC (if available): 1 84277 116 7
Description
This book provides an up to date account of the country's extraordinary complicated political tapestry which throws up so many questions - the definition of identity, the intersection of religious and ethnic factors, a deeply flawed institutionalization of democracy, control of the state, and the potentially explosive cross impacts of regional and domestic politics.
This book provides an up to date account of the country's extraordinary complicated political tapestry which throws up so many questions - the definition of identity, the intersection of religious and ethnic factors, a deeply flawed institutionalization of democracy, control of the state.
Pakistan has become a key actor in the realm of international relations post 11 September 2001. Like after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, its geopolitical situation has made it the main base for military operations and the fight against Bin Laden's Jihadist network. But the strategic position, this time around, was also due to its special links with the Taliban.
Pakistan is involved in regional tensions and is itself undermined by a great deal of ethnic tensions.
This book provides an up to date account of the country's extraordinary complicated political tapestry which throws up so many questions - the definition of identity, the intersection of religious and ethnic factors, a deeply flawed institutionalization of democracy, control of the state, and the potentially explosive cross impacts of regional and domestic politics.
While they built Pakistan on the basis of 'Islamic ideology', the Mohajirs are now developing separatist tendencies. The Pashtun, the Sindhi and the Baluch nationalists are not as vocal but they still endorse centrifugal forces due to their resentment of what they call the 'Punjabi hegemony'. Islam tool has failed as a cementing force because of the increasingly violent Shiva-Sunni conflict.
National integration remains a remote prospect, but Pakistani nationalism exists, largely because it expresses itself against others - India, first of all. Kashmir has been for years the main bone of contention between India and Pakistan and it has helped this country to mobilize unitedly. Pakistan's foreign policy, be it shaped by civilians or military rulers, is largely over-determined by this strategy.
Contents
Introduction
Nationalism without a Nation
Pakistan Searching for its Identity
PART I; THE FAILED (ISLAMIC) STATE: ETHNIC CONFLICTS AND SECTARIANISM
CHAPTER 1
The Punjabization of Pakistan: Myth or Reality?
CHAPTER 2
In and Out of Power but not Down and Out: Mohajir Identity Politics
CHAPTER 3
Islam, the State and the Rise of Sectarian Militancy in Pakistan
CHAPTER 4
The Regional Dimension of Sectarian Conflicts in Pakistan
PART II: AT THE CROSSROAD OR REGIONAL TENSIONS: HOW TO ARTICULATE A NATIONALIST-CUM-ISLAMIC IDEOLOGY?
CHAPTER 5
From Official Islam to Islamism: The Rise of Dawat-ul-Irshad and Lashkar-e-Taiba
CHAPTER 6
The Taliban: A Strategic Tool for Pakistan
CHAPTER 7
Pakistan and the Taliban: State Policy, Religious Networks and Political Connections
CHAPTER 8
The Islamic Dimension of the Kashmir Insurgency
CHAPTER 9
Pakistan and the 'India Syndrome': Between Kashmir and the Nuclear Predicament
CHAPTER 10
The Geopolitics of Pakistan's Energy Supply
PART III: HOW TO PROJECT NATIONALISM? THE FOREIGN POLICY OF PAKISTAN IN ITS REGION
CHAPTER 11
The Dialectic between Domestic Politics and Foreign Policy
CHAPTER 12
The 'Multi-Vocal State': The Policy of Pakistanh on Kashmir
CHAPTER 13
Does the Army Shape Pakistan's Foreign Policy?
Conclusion
And Yet, Pakistan Exists
List of Contributors