Pakistan: Social and Cultural Transformation (Routledge Contemporary South Asia Series, 1)

Provides an overview of social and cultural transformation in Pakistan since independence, which is crucial to understanding Pakistan's likely future direction. This book examines how tradition and family life continue to contribute long term stability, and explores the areas where very rapid changes are taking place.

Pakistan is a key country in the War against Terror. A Western ally and a nuclear power, with a very large Muslim population, and where substantial Islamicization programs have taken place over recent years, it is by no means certain in which direction Pakistan will turn going forward. Understanding the social and cultural forces at work in Pakistan is therefore crucial in order to understand Pakistan's likely future direction.
This interesting work from Mohammad Qadeer presents an overview of social and cultural transformation in Pakistan since independence. It shows how tradition and family life continue to contribute long term stability, and examines the areas where very rapid changes are taking place: large population increase, urbanization, economic development, and the nature of civil society and the state.

It offers an insightful view into Pakistan, exploring the wide range of ethnic groups, the countryside, religion and community, and popular culture and national identity. It concludes by discussing the likely future social development in Pakistan, captivating students and academics interested in Pakistan and multiculturalism.

This is the first English-language survey of Pakistan's socio-economic evolution. Mohammad Qadeer gives an essential overview of social and cultural transformation in Pakistan since independence, which is crucial to understanding Pakistan's likely future direction. Pakistan examines how tradition and family life continue to contribute long term stability, and explores the areas where very rapid changes are taking place: large population increase, urbanization, economic development, and the nature of civil society and the state. It offers an insightful view into Pakistan, exploring the wide range of ethnic groups, the countryside, religion and community, and popular culture and national identity. It concludes by discussing the likely future social development in Pakistan, captivating students and academics interested in Pakistan and multiculturalism. Qadeer's impressive work is a comprehensive examination of social and cultural forces in Pakistani society, and is an important resource for anyone wanting to understand contemporary Pakistan. Book Cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 2 Series-Title......Page 3 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 List of Illustrations......Page 9 Glossary and abbreviations......Page 10 Preface......Page 13 1 Changing Pakistan......Page 16 2 Patterns of social change......Page 34 3 Landscape of independence......Page 52 4 Nation and ethnicity......Page 72 5 Urban transformations......Page 93 6 Development and the countryside......Page 127 7 Islam and social life......Page 169 8 Family, kinship, community, and civil society......Page 204 9 Everyday life......Page 235 10 Whither Pakistan?......Page 273 Notes......Page 296 Epilogue......Page 315 Bibliography......Page 322 Index......Page 331 Changing Pakistan -- Patterns Of Social Change -- Landscape Of Independence -- Nation And Ethnicity -- Urban Transformations -- Development Of The Countryside -- Islam And Social Life -- Family, Kinship, Community, And Civil Society -- Everyday Life -- Whither Pakistan. Mohammad Abdul Qadeer. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [307]-315) And Index. Changing Pakistan Patterns of social change Landscape of independence Nation and ethnicity Urban transformations Development of the countryside Islam and social life Family, kinship, community, and civil society Everyday life Whither Pakistan Epilogue.