Review

"In The Warrior State: Pakistan in the Contemporary World, T.V. Paul...unpack[s] the psychology behind Pakistan's relationship with militants and its other national security pathologies. Paul's most salient analysis of Pakistan's ailments is what he calls the 'geopolitical curse.'" --Shamila N. Chaudhary, New America Foundation, Political Science Quarterly "Grim yet thoughtful... an insightful and harsh portrait of a dysfunctional nation." --Kirkus Reviews "Paul lucidly and comprehensively explains the historical circumstances that led to 'a dearth of strong political leaders or political parties with a deep democratic sense of commitment' and created incentives for Pakistan's elite to pursue irresponsible policies... This sobering study will appeal to anyone interested in the region." --Publishers Weekly "Pakistan and its army sometimes seem to be the same entity. They are not, and no book other than The Warrior State better places Pakistan's army and the state in their international and comparative settings. It will be essential to scholars of the Subcontinent and of international and comparative politics, as well as all those interested in knowing why this country became the way it did." --Stephen P. Cohen, Brookings Institution and author of Shooting for a Century: The India-Pakistan Conundrum "In The Warrior State, T.V. Paul clarifies why nuclear-armed Pakistan continues to neglect all other aspects of development to maintain military parity with India. Even those who disagree with some of his conclusions will find useful his explanation of Pakistan's insecurities and the policies they have inspired. This book is a valuable addition to the literature on Pakistan's dysfunction and that dysfunction's nexus with militarism and Jihadi militancy." --Husain Haqqani, former ambassador of Pakistan to the United States and Professor of International Relations, Boston University and author of Pakistan Between Mosque and Military "The Warrior State is a provocative and insightful review of Pakistan's tortured politics filled with interesting comparisons to other Muslim and emerging states." --Bruce Riedel, Director of the Brookings Institution's Intelligence Project "T.V. Paul's book is a timely commentary on Pakistan's perennial search for stability." --Shuja Nawaz, Director, South Asia Center, Atlantic Council and author of Crossed Swords: Pakistan, its Army, and the Wars Within "The Warrior State provides an unusual perspective on the links between Pakistan's army-dominated political system and the weakness of the Pakistani state, looking at the different experience of some other army-dominated countries. A thought-provoking contribution." --Teresita Schaffer, retired U.S. Ambassador, Brookings Institution "Several books have recently tried to shed light on the role of the Pakistan army in Pakistani politics. Paul's contribution receives strong endorsement from the Washington-based think-tank gatekeepers on Pakistan: Stephen Cohen, Hussain Haqqani, Bruce Riedel, Shuja Nawaz and Teresita Schaffer. The point the author wants to make is that historically war preparation and war in Europe proved to be an engine of economic development, but in Pakistan this has not been the case." --Pacific Affairs

About the Author

T.V. PAUL is James McGill Professor of International Relations at McGill University, Montreal, and a leading scholar of international security, regional security, and South Asia. His 14 published books include: South Asia's Weak States: Understanding the Regional Insecurity Predicament; The India-Pakistan Conflict: An Enduring Rivalry; India in the World Order: Searching for Major Power Status ; and Globalization and the National Security State.