The nature of the state in Pakistan (1947-1970), Part-2

Summary

The transcript delves into the political and economic evolution of Pakistan, emphasizing its alliance with the U.S. during the Cold War, the impact of foreign aid, and the overdeveloped state led by military and bureaucracy. It contrasts Pakistan’s capitalist development with India's socialist efforts and highlights the inequalities that emerged, particularly between East and West Pakistan. The speaker discusses the military's dominance, the suppression of democracy, and the rise of a wealthy elite class, ultimately leading to the Bengali independence movement and the fall of Pakistan's centralized power.

Takeaways

• 💼 Pakistan's state structure was shaped by a structural imperative to develop capitalism, heavily influenced by the U.S.
• 🇮🇳 In contrast, India's approach to capitalism incorporated socialist reforms, and it didn't follow the U.S. model as aggressively as Pakistan.
• 🛑 During the Cold War, some nations pursued independent development strategies, but Pakistan aligned closely with the U.S.
• 💰 U.S. foreign aid played a massive role in Pakistan's economic planning, especially during the Second Five-Year Plan (1955-1965).
• 🔫 The military and bureaucracy became dominant in Pakistan after the failure of democratic experiments, especially post-1958 when Ayub Khan imposed martial law.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Pakistan saw a rise of capitalist elites, including the '22 families,' and the Green Revolution created a wealthy peasant class in West Pakistan.
• 📉 Capitalist development widened inequality, impoverishing many, particularly in East Pakistan, and led to regional disparities.
• 📢 The state used Islamic solidarity and Muslim nationalism as tools to suppress dissent and maintain control.
• ⚔️ The 1971 Bangladesh independence movement was partly driven by economic and political marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistan.
• 💣 The military's violent response to the independence movement, including genocide, highlighted the unresolved contradictions within the Pakistani state.

Q & A

What is meant by the 'overdeveloped state' in Pakistan?

The 'overdeveloped state' in Pakistan refers to a situation where the state's structures, particularly the military and bureaucracy, are disproportionately powerful and heavily involved in economic development. This creates a state mandate to develop capitalism, influenced strongly by external forces such as the U.S.

How did Pakistan's alignment with the U.S. influence its economic development?

Pakistan's close alliance with the U.S., especially during the Cold War, led to significant U.S. foreign aid, which was pivotal in Pakistan's development plans, particularly during its second Five-Year Plan (1955-1965). The U.S. played a strong role in shaping Pakistan's capitalist development.

What was the non-aligned movement, and how did it contrast with Pakistan's approach?

The non-aligned movement was formed by countries that did not want to align with either the U.S. or the Soviet Union during the Cold War. In contrast, Pakistan chose to align itself firmly with the U.S., seeking economic and military support, rather than pursuing an independent development strategy like some other countries.

How did democracy in Pakistan flounder in the 1950s?

After the assassination of Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan in 1951, Pakistan's attempts at democracy struggled. A series of unstable governments followed, with multiple prime ministers removed or replaced, leading to political instability. By 1958, the military imposed martial law, ending democratic governance.

What role did the military and bureaucracy play in Pakistan's governance after 1958?

After martial law was imposed in 1958, the military, supported by the bureaucracy, took control of Pakistan's governance. They ruled directly, sidelining any semblance of democratic processes, and focused on capitalist industrial development.

What was the 'Green Revolution' and how did it affect Pakistan?

The 'Green Revolution' in Pakistan, particularly in West Pakistan, introduced agricultural reforms that created a new rich peasant class. However, it also widened the economic disparity, with poorer peasants suffering. This new wealthy class became supportive of the military and bureaucracy.

What were the economic disparities between East and West Pakistan?

There were significant economic disparities between East and West Pakistan. Surplus resources were extracted from East Pakistan to support the development of West Pakistan, leading to increased impoverishment in the East. Workers in both regions faced declining real wages, but East Pakistanis experienced more severe exploitation.

How did Islamic ideology play a role in Pakistan's state control?

The state used Islamic ideology and Muslim nationalism to maintain control, asserting that any opposition to the government was akin to being anti-Islamic. This ideology was employed to suppress dissent and maintain the status quo, particularly in the face of economic and political inequality.

What led to the independence of Bangladesh in 1971?

The contradictions between the exploitation of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) by West Pakistan, along with economic disparity, political marginalization, and cultural suppression, led to an irreconcilable conflict. When West Pakistan refused to accommodate the demands of East Pakistan's political leaders, the situation escalated into a war, ultimately resulting in Bangladesh's independence.

What was the significance of the 1971 genocide in East Pakistan?

The genocide in East Pakistan was the military's last attempt to maintain control over the region, despite the growing movement for independence. The brutality of the military crackdown further fueled the independence movement, and the failure of the military to maintain control led to the creation of Bangladesh.