Event Info 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. This talk will be based on the author’s most recent book: The Warrior State: Pakistan in the Contemporary World (Oxford University Press, 2014). The book addresses the question: 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 not lived up to expectations. Its economy is in 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. 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. How did other countries that faced existential threats such as Korea and Taiwan and other Muslim majority states, Indonesia, Turkey and Egypt performed? *NTU will/may collect, use and/or disclose your personal data for the purpose of conducting publicity and/or the development of promotional materials for use by NTU. By registering for the event, you have authorised NTU to videotape and photograph you and you grant NTU the license to use your video images and photographs in NTU related promotional materials.
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