The Army and Democracy: Military Politics in Pakistan by Aqil Shah (Author)

"The Army and Democracy" is a deeply researched and insightful analysis of the role of the military in Pakistan’s politics. Written by Aqil Shah, this book examines how the Pakistani military has shaped the country’s political landscape, often at the expense of democracy.

Shah provides a historical perspective on the military’s intervention in politics, analyzing its institutional dominance, the weaknesses of civilian governments, and the reasons behind repeated military takeovers. He also explores how Pakistan’s military has influenced foreign policy, internal security, and governance, leading to a fragile democratic system.

Key Highlights:

✅ Historical Context:

• Traces the origins of military influence in Pakistan since 1947 and how it gradually expanded.
• Examines key events like martial laws, military coups, and political engineering by the army.

✅ Pakistan’s Civil-Military Relations:

• Discusses why the military sees itself as the guardian of national interest and how it justifies intervening in civilian politics.
• Analyzes the weaknesses of political institutions that allow military interference.

✅ The Military’s Role in Politics & Governance:

• How Pakistan’s army influences elections, controls foreign policy, and manipulates the judiciary, media, and economy.
• Impact of military rule on civil liberties, governance, and democratic institutions.

✅ Comparison with Other Democracies:

• Compares Pakistan’s civil-military relations with other countries that have experienced military dominance, such as Turkey, Indonesia, and Egypt.

✅ Prospects for Democracy in Pakistan:

• Can Pakistan break free from military intervention?
• How can civilian governments regain control and strengthen democratic institutions?

Book Contents Overview:

📖 Introduction: The Military and Pakistan’s Political System

• Understanding the political dominance of the army.

📖 Historical Roots of Military Influence

• How the Partition, Indo-Pak conflicts, and Cold War alliances strengthened the army’s role.

📖 Coups and Military Rule

• In-depth analysis of the coups by Ayub Khan (1958), Zia-ul-Haq (1977), and Pervez Musharraf (1999).

📖 The Military’s Role in Policy-Making

• How the army influences foreign policy, economy, and governance.
• Relations with India, Afghanistan, and the USA.

📖 The Deep State: ISI, Judiciary & Media

• How the military controls intelligence agencies (ISI), manages the judiciary, and influences the media.

📖 Civil-Military Relations in the 21st Century

• Can Pakistan’s democracy survive military intervention?
• The rise of hybrid regimes and military-backed governments.

📖 Conclusion: The Future of Democracy in Pakistan

• Possible reforms and ways to strengthen civilian supremacy.