Abstract
The relevance of theory of democratic peace to the case of Pakistan has been a topic of discourse
in western academia, as Pakistan struggles to develop democratically and subsequently regarding
its efforts to minimise the chances of war and maximising the possibilities of economic
cooperation with its adversary India, therefore contributing towards possible regional economic
development in South Asia. Considering the significant aspect at the core of these issues the
focus of this article is primarily on the Pakistan’s domestic factors playing a significant role in its
foreign policy making. Regarding foreign policy vis-a-vis India, the diplomatic and militarystrategic engagement over the issue of Kashmir remains pertinent. Broadly the analysis of these
issues shall be accomplished by focussing on the governments of Pakistan Muslim League –
Nawaz group PML (N) from the post-second martial law years (1985 onwards) till the most
recent elections in 2013. Considering the history of electoral politics in Pakistan, PML (N) has
been inclined towards introducing advanced economic and developmental reforms in Pakistan
therefore may be regarded as favouring economically liberal reforms. In order to ascertain the
role of democracy as a form of governance in affecting the foreign policy making and conflict
resolution, the interactions of these PML (N) governments with their Indian counterparts, on the
issue of Kashmir shall be examined. This also contributes to the assumption at the core of
democratic peace theory that as Pakistan evolves democratically, the chances of peace and
economic cooperation in South Asia may be maximised. Therefore this article engages with the
themes of separation of powers and problems of governance, different types of governments and
regimes, civil-military relations, and possibilities of peace between historical adversaries through
domestic economic progress and regional trade and cooperation. Moreover, in the South Asian
perspective, it includes the liberal and internationalist discourses that expect regional economic
blocks to develop in South Asia supported and guided by economically, financially and
strategically advanced states.
Ahmed Ijaz Malik. (2016) Democratic Peace, Pakistan-India relations and the possibilities of economic cooperation in South Asia, South Asian Studies, Volume 31, Issue 1.
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