Imagining Pakistan

Modernism, State, and the Politics of Islamic Revival

Nonfiction, History, Asian, India, Religion & Spirituality, Middle East Religions, Islam, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, International
Cover of the book Imagining Pakistan by Rasul Bakhsh Rais, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Rasul Bakhsh Rais ISBN: 9781498553964
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: August 30, 2017
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Rasul Bakhsh Rais
ISBN: 9781498553964
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: August 30, 2017
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

Imagining Pakistan argues that the creation of Pakistan is a result of Muslim modernism in the Subcontinent, as it defined the struggle for identity, nationalism, and empowerment of Muslim communities. This modernist movement represented the ideals of inclusivity, equal rights, a liberal constitutional framework, and a shared sense of political community among diverse ethnic and regional groups. However, while this modernity was the ideal of Pakistan’s founders, it faced resistance from Islamists obsessed with recovering a past legacy of lost Muslim glory. A major threat to political modernism also came from the military that wanted to create a strong and secure Pakistan through ‘controlled’ democracy. Multiple interventions by the military and deviations from the foundational republican ideas left Pakistan in the rough sea of power struggles, causing institutional decay and creating space for the rise of radical Islam. Imagining Pakistan analyzes the institutional imbalance between the military and the civilian groups, the idea of the security state, and the Islamist social forces and movements that have been engaged in the politics of Islamic revival. It argues that Pakistan’s stability, security and progress will depend on pursuing the path of political modernity. Although the restoration of parliamentary democracy and the resilience of the Pakistani society are hopeful signs, resolving the critical issues that Pakistan faces today will require consolidation of democracy, better leadership, and a moderate and modernist vision of both, the state and the society.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Imagining Pakistan argues that the creation of Pakistan is a result of Muslim modernism in the Subcontinent, as it defined the struggle for identity, nationalism, and empowerment of Muslim communities. This modernist movement represented the ideals of inclusivity, equal rights, a liberal constitutional framework, and a shared sense of political community among diverse ethnic and regional groups. However, while this modernity was the ideal of Pakistan’s founders, it faced resistance from Islamists obsessed with recovering a past legacy of lost Muslim glory. A major threat to political modernism also came from the military that wanted to create a strong and secure Pakistan through ‘controlled’ democracy. Multiple interventions by the military and deviations from the foundational republican ideas left Pakistan in the rough sea of power struggles, causing institutional decay and creating space for the rise of radical Islam. Imagining Pakistan analyzes the institutional imbalance between the military and the civilian groups, the idea of the security state, and the Islamist social forces and movements that have been engaged in the politics of Islamic revival. It argues that Pakistan’s stability, security and progress will depend on pursuing the path of political modernity. Although the restoration of parliamentary democracy and the resilience of the Pakistani society are hopeful signs, resolving the critical issues that Pakistan faces today will require consolidation of democracy, better leadership, and a moderate and modernist vision of both, the state and the society.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Media Bias? by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book The Oral Presidency of Barack Obama by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book Lost in the Long Transition by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book Fantasy Sports and the Changing Sports Media Industry by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book Imagining the United States of Africa by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book James Friedrich and Cathedral Films by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book European Football in Black and White by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book Rakugo by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book The Limits of Marriage by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book Securitizing Balance of Power Theory by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book Women in Mexican Politics by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book Zones of Twilight by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book Augustine and Psychology by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book Studies of Communication in the 2012 Presidential Campaign by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
Cover of the book Networked Information Technologies, Elections, and Politics by Rasul Bakhsh Rais
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy