The Warrior State

Pakistan in the Contemporary World

TV Paul author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc

Published:10th Apr '14

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

This hardback is available in another edition too:

The Warrior State cover

Despite having devoted considerable energy and resources to its national security over the last 65 years, Pakistan remains a hotbed of international terrorism, religious extremism, and nuclear proliferation: the world's most dangerous powder keg. In The Warrior State, noted international relations and South Asia scholar T.V. Paul poses a fascinating puzzle. In many states across the developing world, military-led regimes have experienced impressive and stable economic growth and over time have evolved into at least partially democratic states. Yet Pakistan, a state in which the military has outsized power, has been a conspicuous failure. Its economy is a shambles, heavily dependent on international aid agencies. Its political system, while containing some democratic features, is notoriously corrupt and unresponsive. And despite the regime's heavy emphasis on security, the country is beset by internecine violence and terrorism. As Paul explains, this is a historical anomaly. War-making and state-building have typically gone hand in hand. After all, the inexorable rise of the European nation-state is largely due the rise of powerful militaries under the control of centralized administrations. What explains Pakistan's unique inability to progress? While there are many factors, the "geostrategic curse" looms large. Since its founding, the country has been at the center of a series of major geopolitical struggles - US-Soviet rivalry, the India-Pakistan struggle, and - most recently - the post 9/11 wars. No matter how ineffective the regime is, it always ends up being the recipient of massive amounts of aid. Moreover, given the constant state of geopolitical crisis, the state always prioritizes the military at the expense of political and economic development. Incorporating a rich theoretical explanation into a swift narrative, drawing insights from history, international relations, sociology, religious studies, political science, and comparative development, The Warrior State presents a deep, multidimensional, and readable account of how such an acutely troubled and unstable country became the way it is, as well as the forces that keep it mired in instability.

"In The Warrior State: Pakistan in the Contemporary World, T.V. Paul...unpack[s] the psychology behind Pakistan's relationship with militants and its other national security pathologies. Paul's most salient analysis of Pakistan's ailments is what he calls the 'geopolitical curse.'" --Shamila N. Chaudhary, New America Foundation, Political Science Quarterly "Grim yet thoughtful... an insightful and harsh portrait of a dysfunctional nation." --Kirkus Reviews "Paul lucidly and comprehensively explains the historical circumstances that led to 'a dearth of strong political leaders or political parties with a deep democratic sense of commitment' and created incentives for Pakistan's elite to pursue irresponsible policies... This sobering study will appeal to anyone interested in the region." --Publishers Weekly "Pakistan and its army sometimes seem to be the same entity. They are not, and no book other than The Warrior State better places Pakistan's army and the state in their international and comparative settings. It will be essential to scholars of the Subcontinent and of international and comparative politics, as well as all those interested in knowing why this country became the way it did." --Stephen P. Cohen, Brookings Institution and author of Shooting for a Century: The India-Pakistan Conundrum "In The Warrior State, T.V. Paul clarifies why nuclear-armed Pakistan continues to neglect all other aspects of development to maintain military parity with India. Even those who disagree with some of his conclusions will find useful his explanation of Pakistan's insecurities and the policies they have inspired. This book is a valuable addition to the literature on Pakistan's dysfunction and that dysfunction's nexus with militarism and Jihadi militancy." --Husain Haqqani, former ambassador of Pakistan to the United States and Professor of International Relations, Boston University and author of Pakistan Between Mosque and Military "The Warrior State is a provocative and insightful review of Pakistan's tortured politics filled with interesting comparisons to other Muslim and emerging states." --Bruce Riedel, Director of the Brookings Institution's Intelligence Project "T.V. Paul's book is a timely commentary on Pakistan's perennial search for stability." --Shuja Nawaz, Director, South Asia Center, Atlantic Council and author of Crossed Swords: Pakistan, its Army, and the Wars Within "The Warrior State provides an unusual perspective on the links between Pakistan's army-dominated political system and the weakness of the Pakistani state, looking at the different experience of some other army-dominated countries. A thought-provoking contribution." --Teresita Schaffer, retired U.S. Ambassador, Brookings Institution "Several books have recently tried to shed light on the role of the Pakistan army in Pakistani politics. Paul's contribution receives strong endorsement from the Washington-based think-tank gatekeepers on Pakistan: Stephen Cohen, Hussain Haqqani, Bruce Riedel, Shuja Nawaz and Teresita Schaffer. The point the author wants to make is that historically war preparation and war in Europe proved to be an engine of economic development, but in Pakistan this has not been the case." --Pacific Affairs

ISBN: 9780199322237

Dimensions: 163mm x 239mm x 25mm

Weight: 496g

272 pages