Pakistan: The struggle for democracy historical perspective and future prospects, 1947-1989

The purpose of this study is to understand why a stable political system has not developed in Pakistan. The aim of this study is to show that the problem lies in the state system itself. In other words the authority structure of the state, as inherited from British India, provides the focal point for the country's politics. While it is true that political parties, religious movements, ethnic violence and legislative activity seems to dominate the political scene, it is essentially to the structural dynamics of the state that one must ascribe the primary responsibility for shaping the political events after independence. For, this reason, in the framework of this study, the legal and constitutional authority, occupies central stage, and the political actors are seen as either trying to seek patronage from it or trying to limit its legitimizing potential. This, it seems, is the best way to understand the number of crisis that have befallen Pakistan.Chairpersons: Alan R. Taylor; Beady Tyson.