Delusional States: Feeling Rule and Development in Pakistan's Northern Frontier

Delusional States is an in-depth study of state-making and social change in Gilgit-Baltistan, a Shia-majority region of Pakistan and a contested border area that forms part of disputed Kashmir. It illuminates how the Kashmir conflict is affectively structured and experienced on the ground, offering a multi-layered ethnographic understanding of power and subjection in contemporary Pakistan.

Format: Hardback
Length: 325 pages
Publication date: 19 September 2019
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Delusional States is a groundbreaking exploration of state-making and social transformation in the Shia-majority region of Gilgit-Baltistan, situated in the Sunni-dominated territory of Pakistan and forming a contentious border area in the disputed Kashmir region. Spanning over seven decades, the territorial conflict over Kashmir has perpetuated devastating wars and fueled intense nationalistic sentiments between India and Pakistan. However, this book goes beyond the narrative of hate, unveiling a tapestry of other emotions such as love, betrayal, loyalty, suspicion, and beauty, which shed light on the intricately structured and deeply felt experiences of the Kashmir conflict on the ground. By centering these emotions as the focal point of its analysis, the book offers a multi-layered ethnographic understanding of power and subjection in contemporary Pakistan, challenging conventional notions of state-citizen relations.

The book delves into the complex dynamics of state-making in Gilgit-Baltistan, a region that has been under the control of Pakistan since the partition of India in 1947. It explores the ways in which the Pakistani state has attempted to assert its authority and control over the region, often at the expense of local communities and their cultural practices. Through ethnographic fieldwork and interviews with a wide range of individuals, including politicians, activists, and ordinary citizens, the book sheds light on the struggles and challenges faced by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan in their quest for self-determination and autonomy.

One of the key themes of the book is the relationship between the state and the citizenry in Gilgit-Baltistan. The author argues that the state has often treated the region as a peripheral and marginalized area, with limited access to resources and political representation. This has led to a sense of disillusionment and frustration among the local population, who feel that their voices are not being heard and that their concerns are being ignored by the central government.

To address this issue, the book proposes a reimagining of the state-citizen relation in Gilgit-Baltistan. It suggests that the state should prioritize the needs and aspirations of the local population, rather than imposing its own agenda and policies. This would involve greater decentralization of power, greater participation of local communities in decision-making processes, and the recognition of cultural and linguistic diversity within the region.

Another important theme of the book is the impact of the Kashmir conflict on the social and political landscape of Gilgit-Baltistan. The conflict has been a source of tension and instability for the region, with frequent clashes between Indian and Pakistani security forces and the displacement of thousands of people. The book explores the ways in which the conflict has shaped the identities and ideologies of local communities, as well as the ways in which they have responded to it.

The book also raises important questions about the role of international actors in the Kashmir conflict. It argues that the international community has often been complicit in the perpetuation of the conflict, through its support for Pakistan and India's territorial claims over Kashmir. The book suggests that the international community should play a more active role in promoting peace and stability in the region, through diplomatic efforts and the promotion of human rights.

In conclusion, Delusional States is a groundbreaking exploration of state-making and social transformation in the contested Kashmir region. Through its ethnographic analysis of the experiences of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, the book offers a multi-layered understanding of power and subjection in contemporary Pakistan. It challenges conventional notions of state-citizen relations and proposes a reimagining of the state-citizen relation in the region, based on the principles of decentralization, participation, and cultural recognition. The book also raises important questions about the role of international actors in the Kashmir conflict and calls for a more active and constructive engagement by the international community in promoting peace and stability in the region.

Weight: 546g
Dimension: 42 x 196 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108497442