«Islamic Socialism» in Pakistan: Evolution, Implementation and Legacy in Domestic and Foreign Policy
https://doi.org/10.24833/2071-8160-2023-5-92-58-76
Abstract
The article examines the phenomenon of "Islamic socialism" in Pakistan and its impact on the nation's current domestic and foreign policies. Employing critical theory, the author delves into an analysis of the political class's objectives and how the environmental context influenced the political process, offering insights into the perceptions held by higher echelons. The application of elite theory allows for a deconstruction of the Pakistani statehood, unveiling the specific social groups shaping developmental trajectories. By leveraging historical sociology in international relations, the article investigates the influence of historical underpinnings on the decision-making of social groups, shedding light on their endeavors to construct the past for political purposes.
The study meticulously traces the origins of "Islamic socialism," exploring the discourse's evolution in the initial decades following the country's independence. It identifies the driving forces that led the state leadership to adopt the model of "Islamic socialism." Focused on the tenure of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (1971-1977), the article examines the implementation of the "Islamic socialism" policy and the subsequent reasons for its failure, culminating in a military coup. The author contends that the principles of "Islamic socialism" introduced in Pakistan's domestic and foreign policy retained relevance even after its rejection.
Conclusively, the article posits that the "Islamic socialism" constructed by Pakistani elites, often viewed through an orientalist lens, emerged not only as a response to the crisis in Pakistani statehood but paradoxically, became a crucial driver in shaping Islamabad's foreign policy determinants. Notably, this development forged integral relationships with China and the Islamic world, evolving into pivotal imperatives in Pakistan's grand strategy.
This study highlights the interplay between "Islamic socialism," the crisis in Pakistani statehood, and its unforeseen impact on foreign policy, ultimately forming the bedrock for Islamabad's strategic engagements with China and the Islamic world.
About the Author
G. G. Makarevich
Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
References
1. Aguilar F., Bell R., Black N., Falk S., Rogers S., Peritz A. 2011. An Introduction to Pakistan’s Military. Cambridge: Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School.
2. Ahmed I. 2010. The Rise and Fall of the Left and the Maoist Movements in Pakistan. India Quarterly. 3. P. 251-265. DOI: 10.1177/097492841006600302
3. Badejo B.A. 1988. Bhutto and the PPP’s Socialism? India Quarterly. 3/4. P. 240-252.
4. Colbert R.G., McGruther K.R. 1974. The Role of Perception in Naval Diplomacy. Naval War College Review. 2. P. 3-20.
5. Huq M. 1966. Electorates and elections in Pakistan. Civilisations. 1. P. 45-56.
6. Javed I. 2015. Theory and Practice of Fabian Socialism: A Case Study of Pakistan. Pakistan Horizon. 1. P. 103-123.
7. Jinnah M.A. 2000. Speeches and Statements 1947-1948. Karachi: Oxford University Press. 242 p.
8. Kiran N. 2020. Z.A. Bhutto’s Cabinet: A Study of Its Role in Formulation of Economic and Foreign Policy, 1971-1977. Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan. 2. P. 133-152.
9. Malhotra I. 2003. Dynasties of India and Beyond: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh. New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India. 363 p.
10. Raghavan S. 2019. The Most Dangerous Place: A History of United States in South Asia. Haryana: Penguin Random House India. 472 p.
11. Said E. 2021. Orientalism. Moscow: Garage. 560 p.
12. Sanghro R. R., Chandio, J. A. 2019. Emerging the Concept of Islamic Socialism in Pakistan: Historical Analysis on Political Debates of 1970-1971 Election Campaign. Journal of History Culture and Art Research. 2. P. 51-61. DOI: 10.7596/taksad.v8i2.2042
13. Siddiqa A. 2020. The Convergence of Pakistan and Gulf Strategic Interests: An Assesment. Ankara: Center for Middle Eastern Studies. 26 p.
14. Waseem M. 2021. Political Conflict in Pakistan. London: C. Hurst & Company. 576 p.
15. Belokrenitskii V.Ya. 2015. Osobennosti natsionalizma i natsii-gosudarstv na Vostoke, v islamskom mire (na primere Pakistana) [Features of Nationalism and Nation-States in the East, in the Islamic World (exemplified by Pakistan)]. In Belokrenitskii V.Ya., Ulchenko N. Yu. (eds) Natsii i natsionalizm na musul'manskom Vostoke [Nations and Nationalism in Muslim East] (pp. 15-35). Moscow: IV RAN. 488 p.
16. Belokrenitskii V.Ya., Moskalenko V.N. 2008. Istoriya Pakistana. XX vek. [History of Pakistan, 20th Century]. Moscow: IV RAN, Kraft+. 640 p.
17. Filimonova A.L. 2010a. Ideya Pakistana: predystoriya formirovaniya [Idea of Pakistan: Prehistory of Formation]. Moscow University Bulletin. Series 13. Oriental Studies. 3. P. 84-101.
18. Filimonova A. L. 2010b. Kontseptsiya "islamizatsii" v politike formirovaniya pakistanskoi natsii (1970-1980-e gg.) [Concept of «Islamization» in the Policy to Establish Pakistan’s Nation]. Moscow University Bulletin. Series 13. Oriental Studies. 4. P. 71-89.
19. Galishcheva N. V. 2018. Ehkonomika Pakistana [Economy of Pakistan]. Moscow: MGIMOUniversity. 373 p.
20. Kamenev S.N. 2014. Ehkonomicheskoe razvitie Pakistana (1947-2012): makroehkonomicheskii analiz [Economic Development of Pakistan (1947-2012): Macroeconomic Analysis]. Moscow: IV RAN, Centre of Strategic Conjucture. 384 p.
21. Kashin V.B. 2019. Kitaisko-pakistanskie otnosheniya [China-Pakistan Relations]. In Borisov T. I., Makienko K. V. (eds.) Pakistan: za ramkami stereotipov [Pakistan: Behind the Stereotypes] (pp. 11-19). Moscow: Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies. 208 p.
22. Moskalenko V.N. 1984. Vneshnyaya politika Pakistana: formirovanie i osnovnye ehtapy ehvolyutsii [Foreign Policy of Pakistan: Formation and Main Stages of Evolution]. Moscow: «Nauka» Publishers. 299 p.
23. Panarin S.A. 2015. Ehdvard Said: kniga sofizmov. [Edward Said: Book of Sophisms]. Historical Expertize. 2(3). P. 78-105.
Review
For citations:
Makarevich G.G. «Islamic Socialism» in Pakistan: Evolution, Implementation and Legacy in Domestic and Foreign Policy. MGIMO Review of International Relations. 2023;16(5):58-76. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24833/2071-8160-2023-5-92-58-76
Views:
630
Email this article 