ProbarGOLD- Free

Two Nations, Two Destinies

Outlook|September 21, 2024
The widely differing balance of power between the military and civilian leadership in India and Pakistan has significantly impacted democracy in the two countries
- Vineetha Mokkil
Two Nations, Two Destinies

HAVE there been times when civil-military relations in India were so strained that a military coup was -justified? asks Aditya Sondhi, a senior advocate practising at the Supreme Court and the Karnataka High Court, in his new book Poles Apart: The Military and Democracy in India and Pakistan. Sondhi's book is a timely addition to the existing literature on civil-military relations in South Asia. It compares the roles the military has played in India and Pakistan and their impact on the arc of democracy in both countries. It also devotes a chapter to Bangladesh currently in the grip of a historic political churning-and the country's tryst with both democracy and military rule. Poles Apart evolved from Sondhi's research for his PhD thesis, which focused on the interface between the military and democracy in India and Pakistan during 1947-2008. The road from thesis to book was paved with revisions, updates, and a chapter on post-2008 developments.

Some of the pertinent questions Poles Apart raises and investigates are: Is there a connection between the "non-event" of a coup and the growth of democracy? Why has Pakistan been under military rule for long periods and how has this affected the survival of democracy? How did the Pakistani military get actively involved in politics and why does it wield so much influence in the country’s political space?

In the book’s well-crafted Introduction, Sondhi reminds readers that democracy is a complex business and nation states, unique. In this context, comparative politics may be a “theory in transition”, but it definitely has its uses. An analysis of similar institutions in India and Pakistan such as the judiciary, the bureaucracy, political parties, the electoral process, the culture and belief systems, and the role of the military and the extent of its intervention helps to gauge the “health of democracy” in the two countries.

Esta historia es de la edición September 21, 2024 de Outlook.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,500 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición September 21, 2024 de Outlook.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,500 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE OUTLOOKVer todo
Education for the Greater Good
Outlook

Education for the Greater Good

UEM Jaipur in its Mission to Provide Global Exposure with Innovative Teaching Techniques

time-read
4 minutos  |
June 21, 2025
Delivering Care Everywhere
Outlook

Delivering Care Everywhere

Innovative healthcare, accessible to all communities across India

time-read
3 minutos  |
June 21, 2025
First Model Hospital for Global destination with New Benchmarks
Outlook

First Model Hospital for Global destination with New Benchmarks

Yashoda Medicity is a holistic ecosystem, a convergence of medical brilliance, technology, education, and patient-centred values, poised to redefine healthcare delivery in India and beyond

time-read
3 minutos  |
June 21, 2025
Green Growth: A New Normal
Outlook

Green Growth: A New Normal

Indian real estate embraces sustainable design, net-zero goals and eco-friendly innovation to shape resilient, future-ready urban landscapes.

time-read
3 minutos  |
June 21, 2025
Precision Meets Expertise
Outlook

Precision Meets Expertise

Pioneering ROBOTIC Knee & Hip Replacements, Dr (Prof) Anil Arora is redefining mobility with advanced technology and compassionate care

time-read
2 minutos  |
June 21, 2025
The 5 Best Monsoon Treks in Maharashtra
Outlook

The 5 Best Monsoon Treks in Maharashtra

This curated list of the best monsoon treks in Maharashtra highlights both natural beauty and historical significance of the state while also being ideal for lovers of adventure

time-read
3 minutos  |
June 21, 2025
Batwoman
Outlook

Batwoman

Women have gatecrashed a stag party, smashing their way through the sexist walls of bias and invisibility to live their cricket dreams, no more in the margins but in the spotlight

time-read
7 minutos  |
June 21, 2025
Elite Bench
Outlook

Elite Bench

Why diversity and inclusion in cricket remain elusive

time-read
5 minutos  |
June 21, 2025
Outlook

'Write What Should Not be Forgotten'

Chilean-American author Isabel Allende’s latest book My Name is Emilia Del Valle, set during the 1891 Chilean civil war, is the story of a young woman’s search for her identity.

time-read
5 minutos  |
June 21, 2025
It is Lonely at the Top
Outlook

It is Lonely at the Top

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah faces rebellion from within the National Conference. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is breathing down his neck. His political rival, Mehbooba Mufti, is sharpening her attack

time-read
5 minutos  |
June 21, 2025

Usamos cookies para proporcionar y mejorar nuestros servicios. Al usan nuestro sitio aceptas el uso de cookies. Learn more