The Class Structure of Pakistan

This work on the class structure of Pakistan examines the history of the region from the Mughal Empire to the present, arguing that the mode of production was distinct from European feudalism and that the colonial path to capitalism resulted in a unique socio-economic formation called Asiatic capitalism. Manufacturing and services are dominated by petty commodity production and small-scale capitalism, with implications for Pakistan's politics, society, and culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 10 January 2022
Publisher: OUP Pakistan

This comprehensive work on the class structure of Pakistan employs a historical materialist framework to trace the evolution of the region's class dynamics from the Mughal Empire to the present day. It delves into the intricate tapestry of the region's history, examining the various influences and disruptions that have shaped its class structure over centuries. The study analyzes the complex interplay between economic, social, and political factors that have contributed to the formation of Pakistan's class structure, highlighting the profound impact of colonialism, capitalism, and regional dynamics on the country's social and economic landscape.

The author begins by examining the pre-colonial era, highlighting the qualitative differences between the mode of production in South Asia and European feudalism. They argue that the pre-colonial societies in South Asia were characterized by a more decentralized and egalitarian social structure, with a strong emphasis on agriculture and artisanal production. In contrast, European feudalism was characterized by a hierarchical social order, with a rigid class system and a concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few elite families.

The study then delves into the colonial era, which saw the imposition of European feudal structures and modes of production on the region. The author argues that the colonial path of capitalist development resulted in a socio-economic formation that combined features of the Asiatic and capitalist modes of production, which they term "Asiatic capitalism." This hybrid system was characterized by the dominance of large-scale agriculture, the exploitation of labor, and the emergence of a small but influential bourgeois class.

The post-colonial period saw the emergence of Pakistan as a nation-state, and the country's class structure continued to be shaped by the legacies of colonialism and capitalism. The study argues that manufacturing and services are dominated by petty commodity production and small-scale capitalism, with a significant proportion of the population engaged in low-paying and informal employment. The author notes that this class structure has contributed to social inequality, economic marginalization, and political instability in Pakistan.

The study makes three key propositions:

First, that the mode of production of pre-colonial South Asia was qualitatively distinct from European feudalism. The author argues that the pre-colonial societies in South Asia were characterized by a more decentralized and egalitarian social structure, with a strong emphasis on agriculture and artisanal production. In contrast, European feudalism was characterized by a hierarchical social order, with a rigid class system and a concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few elite families.

Second, that the colonial path of capitalist development of South Asia resulted in a socio-economic formation that combined features of the Asiatic and capitalist modes of production, which this study terms "Asiatic capitalism." The author argues that the colonial era saw the imposition of European feudal structures and modes of production on the region, which were then combined with the economic and social dynamics of the Asiatic world. This hybrid system was characterized by the dominance of large-scale agriculture, the exploitation of labor, and the emergence of a small but influential bourgeois class.

Third, that in Pakistan manufacturing and services are dominated by petty commodity production and small-scale capitalism. The author argues that the post-colonial period saw the emergence of a dominant petty bourgeois class in Pakistan, which has been able to exploit the country's natural resources and labor force to establish small-scale industries and services. However, this class structure has also been characterized by social inequality, economic marginalization, and political instability.

In conclusion, this comprehensive work on the class structure of Pakistan employs a historical materialist framework to trace the evolution of the region's class dynamics from the Mughal Empire to the present day. It analyzes the complex interplay between economic, social, and political factors that have contributed to the formation of Pakistan's class structure, highlighting the profound impact of colonialism, capitalism, and regional dynamics on the country's social and economic landscape. The study makes three key propositions that shed light on the nature of Pakistan's class structure and its implications for the country's politics, society, and culture.

Weight: 356g
Dimension: 159 x 234 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780199400126