Role Compatibility as Socialization: The Case of Pakistan

Dorothée Vandamme's book, Role Compatibility as Socialization, examines Pakistan's socialization process in terms of role compatibility from 2008-2018. It builds on role theory to develop a theory of socialization as role compatibility to explain Pakistan's (dys)functioning position and status-seeking process as a fully functioning member of the international system. Vandamme focuses on how Pakistani civilian and military leaders define their country's positioning towards India, the United States, and China, tracing the link between domestic role contestation and the military's domination of state identity, foreign policy behavior, and external reception. The book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers working on role theory and socialization theory, as well as those with a research interest in South Asia.

Format: Hardback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 11 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In her insightful study titled "Role Compatibility as Socialization: An Examination of Pakistan's Socialization Process in the 2008-2018 Period," Dorothée Vandamme delves into the intricate dynamics of Pakistan's socialization process, focusing specifically on the role compatibility framework. Through the adoption of an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method of analysis, Vandamme builds upon role theory to develop a comprehensive theory of socialization as role compatibility, aimed at explaining the complexities of Pakistan's (dys)functional position within the international system and its relentless pursuit of status as a fully functioning member.

To accomplish this, Vandamme directs her attention to how Pakistani civilian and military leaders define their country's positioning towards India, the United States, and China. By tracing the link between domestic role contestation at the country's inception and the subsequent dominance of the military's conception of their country, state identity, external projection, and reception by others, Vandamme offers a profound exploration of the intricate interplay between state identity, foreign policy behavior, and socialization.

What sets Vandamme's study apart is her departure from strictly structural or agent-oriented explanations, opting instead for a nuanced and multifaceted approach. Through meticulous analysis, she expertly demonstrates Pakistan's perceived role compatibility with significant others and underscores the causal relationship between state identity, foreign policy behavior, and socialization.

This study will undoubtedly appeal to graduate students and researchers actively engaged in the study and application of role theory and socialization theory, as well as those with a keen interest in South Asia. Vandamme's work contributes valuable insights into the complex dynamics of Pakistan's socialization process, shedding light on the role compatibility framework and its profound implications for understanding the country's position within the global arena.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032158518