Routledge The Islamic State in the Post-Modern World: The Political Experience of Pakistan

Product Description The Islamic State in the Post-Modern World is a study of the political development of Pakistan. This study consists of three parts. The first addresses the concept of the 'state' as it has evolved historically. The approach is comparative and involves a brief review of Islamic political theory. The second part of this section is the modern state, i.e., the Westphalian model. The territorial state is still the standard although it has been evolving in new directions for some time. The second section focuses on the creation of Pakistan as an experiment in bridging the gulf between the demands of the modern state and the philosophical-spiritual attraction of the Islamic model. In addition to constitutional issues, the discussion also includes political forms, i.e., the machinery of daily government and the appropriateness of democratic methods, elections, legislative process, and political parties, to achieve Islamic ends. The third part considers international issues from the beginning of the twenty-first century especially the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite its 'partnership' role with the US in the war on terror, Pakistan has been consistently marginalized. Pakistan’s problems are exacerbated by the conflict over Kashmir, a vestigial remnant of Pakistan’s continuous, and largely unsuccessful, efforts at self-identification. Review ’Clarity in understanding the murky tension between Islam and the modern nation-state has evaded scholars, theologians and policy makers at least as far back as Atatürk. Pakistan, a linchpin in today’s regional and global security structures, is ground-zero in this ongoing struggle. Hayes’ book is an essential guide to understanding Pakistan’s agony and evolution, and its potential importance as a model for the Islamic world.’ William G. Vanderbok, President, South Asian Studies Association About the Author Louis D. Hayes is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the University of Montana, Missoula. Lived and conducted research in Pakistan for three years. Publications include The Impact of American Foreign Policy on the Kashmir Conflict, The Struggle for Legitimacy in Pakistan, and Education Reform in Pakistan.