Recent Publications:

Why Pakistan is Neither a Democracy Nor (Yet?) an Autocracy by Christophe Jaffrelot

Pakistan’s political development since its independence — fluctuating between imperfect democracy and uncertain autocracy — can be attributed to several factors. Democracy suffered as a result of Pakistan’s colonial history, the process of Partition with India, and ethnic politics in the early years of the country’s independence. At the same time, truly autocratic forces have been held back by the resilience of Pakistan’s political parties, its civil society, and its judiciary. Yet there are reasons to be pessimistic about Pakistan’s future, including the poor record of its civilian leaders, the growth of political Islamism, the growing political and  economic influence of the army and intelligence agencies, and continuing ethnic separatism.

Reversing Pakistan’s Drift Toward Radicalism by Hasan Askari Rizvi

The assassination earlier this year of the governor of Punjab is representative of Pakistan’s drift towards Islamic orthodoxy and radicalism. Radicalism has permeated society at large – including government institutions – and now represents the dominant worldview in the country. Pakistan’s Islamic groups include a wide range of entities, from right-of-center political parties to conservative Islamic clergy and militant groups. The social and educational changes advanced by the government of General Zia ul-Haq in the 1980s has severe implications for Pakistan’s domestic security and external relations today, and can only be reversed through a similar generational process involving educational reform, socio-economic development, and regional peace initiatives.

Reversing Pakistan’s Drift Toward Radicalism C. Christine Fair

The Pakistan government’s inability to provide for the security and prosperity of its own people has led to questions about its sovereignty, whether in terms of its monopoly of violence, fiscal solvency, or human security. But rather than asking questions of the Pakistani government, Pakistanis are content with blaming Washington for the country’s ills. Washington wants Pakistan to succeed, even though, admittedly, the United States has often compromised long-term goals for short-term access. Pakistan can certainly do better by following India’s example of self-sufficient economic growth. Pakistanis should also question Chinese and Saudi intentions as vigorously as they do those of the United States. Both countries have used Pakistan for their own interests, without attempting to invest in the country’s people. Pakistan can only escape the leash of donors and manipulative outsiders by raising revenue, securing its territory, providing for its citizens, and becoming a responsible international actor.