The ideological foundations of Pakistan.

Abstract

In 1947 Pakistan was created with the avowed purpose of establishing a state on the "ideal principles of Islam." This dissertation is primarily a study of an ideology, a system of thought in terms of the political-philosophical conceptual values, such as the nature of universe, epitemology, metaphysics, nature of man and society, politics and the state. It is also a study of practical conceptual categories such as the organization and structure of the state, decision making and functions of the state, as conceived by the intellectual and political elite of Pakistan, in particular those who struggled for and contributed to the creation of the country.

The task the Muslim theorists of Pakistan faced was to construct political institutions through which the ethical system in which they believed could be incorporated. The tradition and Muslin heritage dictated that they adopt one-man rule. However, since there was also a widespread belief in democratic institutions, there was vacillation and debate between the parliamentary and presidential institutions. There were also differences of opinion in implementation of the values contained in the epistemological system. Even though there was agreement that the state should provide each individual with the basic necessities of life, this remained a far fetched goal. Above all the political elite, for the most part remained landed aristocrats. Apart from the difficulty they faced in implementing the "Islamic values, " they were not dedicated to either democratic or social value concepts. It is because of these factors that Pakistan failed to emerge as an Islamic State or a democratic social welfare state.