The Government - Annual Research Journal of Political Science

Investigating Mearsheimer's Offensive Realism and Asia: A Critical Appraisal

Zulqarnain — 2023-11-29

There had been constant efforts by nation-states to explain the States’ behaviour and the complexities of the international political system. Realism and Liberalism emerged as notable theories to understand these complexities. Realism focused on power acquisition, Liberalism stressed economic development and cooperation. As the global political landscape became more complex during the cold war days as a result of the emergence of new states- different theories and ideas were marked obscure. The academic insights of neo-realism and new liberalism set new parameters to evaluate the state’s behaviour during the cold war days. There were again more practical efforts in post-cold-wars days by the academic community of international relations to restudy the changing behaviour of states with a new lens of analysis. It paved the way for both offensive and defensive realism. This paper investigates. Mearsheimer’s offensive realism as the offshoot of neorealism. It further develops a critical appraisal based on deductive research methodology to evaluate the reliability of this theoretical offshoot.

The Philosophical work of Karl Marx in context of Political Economy, Religion and Politics - A Marxist Perspective

Talal Maqbool — 2023-11-29

Marxism is a theory which has been criticized by many but still is relevant to the date. Karl Marx a German Philosopher who changed the way people used to the Capitalist class. Marx was not only a philosopher but also a voice for the working class. Many argue on the Marxian religion and Political system, but Marxism stands different than all. The theory of Karl Marx can be divided into three parts the Economical the Political and the Religious. But theory and practice are different things. The core argument of Karl Marx was to end the class system by making a class less society and eliminating capitalist from all the business. Karl Marx wanted the power and decision to hold in the hands of the working class. To date this debate is alive that was Karl Marx’s solution sufficient enough to solve the issues of the working class or was it all useless.

An Analysis of Joe Biden Failed Policy in Afghanistan

Dr. Sabahat Jaleel — 2023-11-29

This research paper analyzes the Biden administration, its policies regarding the Afghan war and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan after a two-decade war. In the Afghan war, which three administrations successfully ran since 2001, Biden's hectic withdrawal has left doubts regarding Biden presidency. This paper briefly examines the previous administrations of America in the light of political and international relations paradigms; thus, a comparative analysis is also built among the Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations. Biden strategy in Afghanistan is analyzed with the help of the Rational Choice theory. The rational strategy for the Afghan war is highlighted by providing answers to some critical questions, such as: What policies made Biden Administration differ from the previous administrations? What challenges had Biden faced while running a two-decade old war? The paper is precise enough to discuss the cost and benefits of the Afghan war post 9/11. Threats to U.S. security after this withdrawal is under discussion. A qualitative approach has been utilized to analyze the above questions based on secondary data, reports, books and journal articles.

Role of Women of Sindh in Politics of Pakistan (1947 -1988) An Analysis

Shahida Begum — 2023-11-29

In Pakistani society, even in the world it is generally considered that the politics is the prerogative of man. Despite of this thinking women in whole world have proved themselves in the political arena of the world. They have also been proved great leaders of the world through their efforts and their political vision. Margrate Thatcher, Hillary Clinton, Aung San Suu Kyi, Indra Ghandi Khilda Zia, Sheikh Hassina Wajid, Miss Fatima Jinnah, Begum Nusrat Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto are the exemplary politicians and leaders of the world. Women of Sindh also played central role in the politics of Pakistan before and after its independence. Though the society of subcontinent was not supportive to women. even they were not allowed to get education but there were a few of women who were aware of their political rights, due to the efforts of these women political leaders, the women from Sindh not only participated in the Pakistan movement but they launched the movements against British and played leading role for independence. After independence the women of Sindh continued their political carrier, they always remained on the front line whenever the politics of Pakistan faced the challenges by military rulers from Ayub Khan to Pervez Musharraf. The Social Status of women has remained deprived since the making of Pakistan. Sindh is a southern province of Pakistan and is greatly affected due to the policies of government in different periods, which also affected the lives of women of Sindh. In Pakistan generally and in Sindh particularly there is patriarchal and male dominated society, which deprived women from their legitimate rights. But the women of Sindh continued their role in the politics of Pakistan. This paper will focus on the role of women of Sindh in Pakistan’s politics.

Analyzing the Use of Metaphorical Devices in the Political Speeches of Pakistani Political Figures

Nadir Ali Mugheri — 2023-11-29

The study tends to focus and analyze the critical use of metaphors in political speeches of Pakistani famous figures. The aim of study is centralized to comprehend the tactics employed by the Pakistani figures to use metaphors in context of Pakistan. It is based on religious, societal and lingual background differences in Pakistan. The study follows qualitative approach and analyzes the content of speeches delivered by Parliamentary member of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Imran Khan, the then, Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The metaphors have been used and analyzed in reference to highlight religious, societal, and lingual background differences in Pakistan. The conceptual framework employs metaphor identifier process (MIP). The study has found as a result that peculiar use of metaphors by the political figures are based on the foreground theories to put a clear Image of their vision and could mold the opinions of public to favor of them. The study showed that political figures use religious, lingual, and societal concepts for foregrounding. The study itself can assist lay man and the researchers to comprehend the techniques employed by the political figures of Pakistan in order to create general opinion of public.

Pakistan’s Experiences with IMF Programs, 1958-2021: Stagnation or Development?

Dr. Niaz Murtaza — 2023-11-29

Pakistan is among the most regular clients of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Currently too, Pakistan is part of an on-going IMF program which is suspended due to differences of opinions between Pakistani and IMF officials on policy actions. In addition, the trajectory of Pakistan’s key economic indicators after IMF programs over seven decades has been highly mixed. Overall, the main IMF conditions of currency depreciation, indirect tax, interest, utility and energy rate hikes and privatization have failed to deliver sustainable growth or even fiscal or external deficit reduction. There is little in IMF conditions focused on growth-inducing policies by increasing exports or foreign direct investment as IMF has no expertise in these areas. But then many analysts ask why global powers have created an entity to bail out developing states in crisis which specializes only in growth-reducing policies. Thus, IMF programs/conditions may look necessary from a narrow, short-term view as in their absence, states may face even greater pain. However, from a broader, long-term perspective, they clearly seem as a poor basis for ensuring sustainable growth in developing states, which requires structural changes in the global economic system.

Building Citizens ‘Trust in Government Through Twitter: An Alternative of Poor Communication Between Government and Public

Dr. Shah Nawaz Mangi — 2023-11-29

Across the world, social networking systems are becoming a major source of interaction between government and people. Governments are utilizing this channel for the provision of information and developing public positive opinion whereby the public can approach government or its officials to make informed decisions. Due to direct communication between ruler and the ruled, chances of transparency, responsiveness, and accountability increase, which ultimately enhances the public level of trust in government. Therefore, the current study argues that uncertain, weak, and hesitant relationships between government and people will negatively affect public trust. Thus, social network systems, especially Twitter can play an alternative role. It may enable a commoner to interact with his/her representatives without any bureaucratic involvement. In this study, the researchers investigated how the use of an officer's Twitter account for online communication affects Pakistani citizens' trust in their government. We surveyed 390 people who followed a government agency's Twitter account and analyzed the data using structural equation analysis. The study found that the credibility of a leading officer's Twitter feed influenced citizens' trust in the relevant agency and the central government. Trust in Twitter as a governmental medium also positively influenced this expansion of trust. However, the study had some limitations, including a small sample size and insufficient consideration of Pakistani organizational culture factors. It did not examine the relationship between local governments and residents or consider how demographic characteristics affect citizens' trust. Future research should address these gaps and explore the factors that influence citizens' trust in the government, including the expertise, attractiveness, and friendliness of spokespersons.

Ghulam Ali, Ed, Pakistan's Foreign Policy: Contemporary Developments and Dynamics.

Dr Pervaiz Ali Mahesar — 2023-11-29

Foreign policy is reflection of domestic and external outlook of a country which we show to an outside world while interacting with other powers in the world. Nations promote, secure, and advance their interests through their dynamic diplomats and ambassadors. In connection to foreign policy of Pakistan, several books and articles have been written. The focus of these academic writings has underlined Pakistan’s engagement with the USA, East Asia (China), Middle East or West Asia (Saudi Arabia and UAE, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar etc), and South Asia.