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Pakistan: A Hard Country
by Anatol Lieven (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (322)
DAILY TELEGRAPH and INDEPENDENT BOOKS OF THE YEAR
LONGLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE 2012
2011 LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK PRIZE FINALIST
In the wake of Pakistan's development of nuclear weapons, unpoliceable border areas, shelter of the Afghan Taliban and Bin Laden, and the spread of terrorist attacks by groups based in Pakistan to London, Bombay and New York, there is a clear need to look further than the simple image of a failed state so often portrayed in the media, and to see instead a country of immense complexity and importance.
Lieven's profound and sophisticated analysis paves the way for clearer understanding of this remarkable and highly contradictory country.
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Review
Superb ... Few writers offer the insight and deep knowledge that Lieven has of a country critical for the West but one often caricatured by the media and rarely understood by Western policy makers ... Timely and compelling — Maleeha Lodhi
This is a wonderful book, full of learning, wisdom, humour and common sense — Peter Oborne, Daily Telegraph
One cannot give Lieven enough credit ... The book seamlessly flows with historical analysis, anthropological investigation, and painstaking contextualisation ... It is both grand in its scholastic description and in its journalistic flair — Ahmad Ali Khalid, Dawn
A finely researched blend of the nation's 64-year history ... Lieven's feat lies in his remarkable, flesh-and-blood portrait of the nation ... this nuanced analysis should be read, and learned from — The Independent
By far the most insightful survey of Pakistan I have read in recent years ... a vital book ... detailed and nuanced — Mohsin Hamid, New York Review of Books
Lieven captures the richness of the place wonderfully. His book has the virtues of both journalism and scholarship — The Economist
An important corrective to the monolithic view of Pakistan ... fresh and deeply informed — Patrick French, Mail on Sunday
A brilliantly articulated and researched argument ... Lieven is a wonderful writer. There are frequent moments of dark humour ... and descriptions that a novelist might envy — Kamila Shamsie, The Times
Everybody nowadays seems to take a view on Pakistan. Very few know what they're talking about. Anatol Lieven is that rare observer ... Pakistan: A Hard Country ... fills a large gap in our understanding — Edward Luce, author of 'In Spite of the Gods: The Strange Rise of Modern India'
The publication of Pakistan: A Hard Country could not be more timely ... illuminating as well as entertaining — The Spectator
About the Author
Anatol Lieven is Professor of International Relations and Terrorism Studies at King's College, London and a senior fellow of the New America Foundation in Washington DC. He was previously a journalist, who reported from South Asia, the former Soviet Union and eastern Europe for The Times (London) and other publications. His books include Chechnya: Tombstone of Russian Power (1998); America Right or Wrong: An Anatomy of American Nationalism (2004); and Ethical Realism: A Vision for America's Role in the World (with John Hulsman) (2006).
Product details
ASIN : B004V2VBFG
Publisher : Penguin
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : 28 April 2011
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From Australia
kyl
2.0 out of 5 stars Informative but not enjoyable to read
Reviewed in Australia on 19 June 2026
Format: Paperback
The book is very informative but very dry to read. It reads like pages and pages of lecture notes. An informative but not enjoyable read.
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Anne Mills
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful Guide To A Country The U.S. Should Understand Better
Reviewed in the United States on 24 December 2013
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This book is a truly illuminating study of modern Pakistan, a very large country about which far too little seems to be generally understood by U.S. analysts and policymakers. Pakistan is too often dismissed as a "failed state", and/or analyzed purely in terms of its value (or lack of value) to the U.S. as an ally in the "War on Terror". Instead, it is a highly complex amalgam of many different societies, where strong divisive pressures strain against powerful unifying forces. One of those is a broad anti-Americanism among the Pakistani people, due in large part to U.S. policies since 2001. In regard to Pakistan, Lieven argues, those policies should be reconsidered, given the long-term risks of increasing Pakistani instability.
Anatol Lieven is admirably qualified to deal with the topic: he is both a journalist (reporting on Pakistan and Afghanistan for the London Times) and an academic/thinktank scholar. His book combines the readability and color of good journalism with the thorough research of scholarly work. It is also based on extensive interviews with many Pakistanis from all walks of life, and all regions of the country, which gives it an engrossing human dimension.
The book starts off with an overview of the Pakistani system, which he describes as "weak state, stong societies". He examines the critical role of kinship and patronage relationships, from an anthropological as well as a political view. And he briefly reviews Pakistan's history since Partition. Here, I found myself turning to Wikipedia etc. to fill in missing links, since the author's review assumed more knowledge than I had -- possibly because I'm an American, a British reader would probably be more familiar with this material.
Next, he turns to the basic structures of modern Pakistan -- justice, religion, politics, and above all the military -- devoting a chapter to each. Then, in a section which I found most useful, he devotes a chapter to each of Pakistan's provinces -- the Punjab, Sindh (and Karachi), Balochistan, and the Pathans (that is, the North West Frontier and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas). In each, he looks at the social and ethnic differences within and between regions, and at how that is reflected politically.
The final section is on the Taleban -- the Afghani Taleban, the Pakistani Taleban, and the attitude of Pakistan's people and government to both.
In his conclusion, Lieven says that "it has been above all the US-led campaign in Afghanistan which has been responsible for increasing Islamist insurgency and terrorism in Pakistan since 2001". Earlier, he has established that insurgency as perhaps the most critical problem facing Pakistan's government. U.S. policy with affect the way in which this plays out.
All in all, I found this a very informative, interesting, and readable book, which I would strongly recommend to anyone interested in South Asia, or, indeed, in US policy.
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kendai
5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Opening And Entertaining
Reviewed in Canada on 5 February 2014
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Most of what I have read about this complex nation dated back to the partition and more recently numerous newspaper and magazine articles. I knew that more in-depth knowledge was needed to evaluate current events affecting a nuclear power that has been increasingly called a "failed nation state".
Fortunately, my first stab at this Anatol Lieven's Pakistan: A Hard Country. With a moniker like that I almost passed (looking for a Pakistani name) but downloaded a sample and knew this guy was not only knowledgeable but easy to read with a wry sense of humour.
Events move fast in this area of the world and the timeline for this book ends mid-2010 yet everything the author predicted after that time has come to pass. If you have questions like:
* is Pakistan now or in the future a "failed nation state"?
* are drone strikes in Pakistan a good strategy"?
*what happens when the west leaves Afghanistan?
then this book is for you
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Mateen
5.0 out of 5 stars A good and enlightening overview of Pakistan
Reviewed in India on 1 September 2023
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Although a bit dated but nevertheless a fair and all encompassing overview of the state of Pakistan and it's myriad problems and how they affect its stability. Also looking at things from the Army's point of view and how they are justified in thei behaviour to a large extent. A good and enjoyable read.
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Fuechsin
5.0 out of 5 stars Pakistan verstehen
Reviewed in Germany on 21 April 2013
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Ein hervorragendes und lesenswertes Buch. Mit den Werten der westlichen Demokratien im Kopf ist es leicht, den Urteilen der (westlichen) Medien zu folgen und Pakistan zu verurteilen, nicht nur die Politiker sondern auch die pakistanische Bevölkerung. Lieven hat Pakistan oft besucht, hat reserchiert und Interviews mit Menschen mit verschiedensten backgrounds in allen Gegenden Pakistans durchgeführt. Er macht nicht nur verständlich, wie die Menschen denken, fühlen, urteilen sondern auch warum sie es so tun. Es zeigt, wie fragwürdig es ist, das Modell der westlichen Demokratie auf Pakistan anwenden zu wollen, (und während ich das gelesen habe, habe ich mich gefragt, ob das nicht auch für andere Länder in Asien und dem vorderen Orient zutrifft). Er geht auf die Bedeutung des Islams ein, wie Recht, Religion das Militär, die Politik funktioniert und auf die verschiedenen Provinzen, welch eine Reichhaltigkeit an geschichtlichen Entwicklungen und kulturellen Hintergründen. Abschließend ist eine ausführliche Analyse und Einschätzung des Taliban und Überlegungen, wie damit umgegangen werden sollte/könnte.
Das Buch ist sehr gut reserchiert mit detaillierten Quellenangaben und reichhaltigen Literaturhinweisen. Es ist interessant geschrieben und durch die vielen Interviews lebendig und anschaulich. Sehr empfehlenswert.
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monica schiavon
5.0 out of 5 stars Veramente ottimo
Reviewed in Italy on 9 May 2019
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L'ho comprato in vista di un viaggio in Pakistan. E' estremamente interessante e ben scritto. Affronta tutti i temi per riuscire a capire un paese tanto diverso e mi ha molto aiutato anche durante il viaggio. Lo consiglio assolutamente.
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Diacha
5.0 out of 5 stars MY ENEMY'S ENEMY'S ENEMY IS .... MY ENEMY!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 May 2011
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This book is excellent as well as timely. It is full of clear thinking, colorful detail and rich anecdotes about a country whose fate is critical to the West.
Anatole Lieven is a former Times journalist and a professor at Kings College. He has lived and travelled extensively in Pakistan over twenty years and interviewed hundreds of Pakistanis from all walks of life including many current and former military and intelligence personnel. He writes more like a journalist than an academic, in what might be termed a literate, colloquial style. ("The Pathans...(are like)... eighteenth century Scots without the alcohol').
"Pakistan: A Hard Country" is teeming with voices and vignettes, a mini metaphor for the country itself. Thus, for example, we witness a traditional pig hunt hosted by Sardar Mumtaz, scion of the Bhutto clan (the unspeakable in hot pursuit of the unhalalable?) and join an Anglican service in St Johns Cathedral in Peshawar where a few beleaguered Christians sing hymns beneath plaques commemorating Scottish and English soldiers killed by tribal insurgents one hundred and fifty years before. We meet such people as the moderate Islamist Colonel Abdul Qayyum ("The Pakistani army has been a nationalist army with an Islamic look"), Dr Shamim Gul, a grandmotherly police surgeon who takes a futile stand against honour killings ("sometimes the bodies fall to pieces and I have to put them back together') and Shehzad, a "Chekhovian steward" who almost drives his mistress mad ("What can I do? He harasses me unmercilessly but he has been with my father for ever."), Afzad Khan, an ANP politician whose nose seems "to be growing in...emulation of the epic, hereditary protuberances of (the ANP) ruling dynasty," and many others, including tribal chieftains and an anonymous member of a police "encounter" team charged with extra-judicial executions.
Lieven's framing view is that Pakistan is a "negotiated state." It is a complex weave of local, regional, ethnic, religious, tribal and feudal interests held together by a perpetual cycle of "patronage "(which dissipates most of the country's tax revenues but unlike in, say Nigeria, where misappropriated funds end up in Western bank accounts, most trickles back down to the local economies). National governments, whether military such as those of Zia or Musharraf (for whom Lieven seems to have considerable respect), or civilian like those of the Bhuttos or the Sharifs, have only limited powers to control this patchwork. Equally, its fragmentation makes it unlikely, in Lieven's view, to succumb to an Islamist revolution. It will face terrorism and local insurrections, for sure, he asserts, but will not support a national rebellion. Despite its chaos, Pakistan is not a failed state like Somalia. Indeed, it works to a remarkable degree.
While most Pakistani institutions are weak - to the extent that many Pakistanis turn to the harsh justice of tribal and Islamic, even Taliban, tribunals rather than waste time and bribes on the police and official courts- the army stands out as an exception. The Pakistani army is disciplined, proud, relatively well equipped and respected. It is a direct descendant of the colonial military, with its neat cantonments, comradely officers' messes, codes of honour and disportionate recruitment from the Punjab. Within the army, all local fealties are subsumed into a greater loyalty. Even General Zia's moves towards Islamification could not change its essential character. And yet, it is this very institution that alliance with the west is undermining. Most Pakistanis, including many soldiers, view the army as being forced into the position of fighting the West's unpopular war against fellow Muslims. The hair trigger pride of the generals is constantly being provoked by face-losing humiliation at the hands of its allies - this book was written prior to Abbottabad - and the sympathies of the more junior officer corps may be shifting as they are recruited from the more pious, lower middle classes rather than from the old, whisky-swilling elites.
Much is currently being made of the duplicity of Pakistan and in particular its shadowy Inter-Services Intelligence agency in its relations with the US and its Western allies. Lieven notes that Pakistan's behavior is fully understandable. Its interests are only partially aligned with the West; its main security obsession is with India and the fear of "encirclement" by an India-friendly Afghanistan on its opposite flank. Thus it has been Pakistan's strategy to maintain links through the ISI with terrorist groups that could destabilize India and to keep its options open with the Afghan Taliban (the Pakistani Taliban are another matter).
Lieven's advice to the US and its allies is essentially to back off - avoid forcing the army into a corner and allow Pakistan to sort out a peace in Afghanistan. The opposite strategy of further intervention could push Pakistan over the brink with almost unimaginable consequences for the West. Whether this is a workable strategy -given the nuclear stakes in the game -or not, Western policy-makers, from the President down, could do worse than to begin by reading this splendid and provocative book.
P.S. One quibble: there is no map in the book - quite a shortcoming given its nature.
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Ruki
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant !
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 June 2016
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As a second generation British Pakistani this book taught me more about the country of my parents birth than they had ever done .
The insight given into the people and places as well as the culture was in depth. Here was Pakistan in all its glory though it was tarnished but you came away from the book routing for it and this was due to the author. The author didn't pull any punches but underpinning all the narrative was his genuine love and concern for the country with none of the sneering associated with western authors.
Thank you for writing this book
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Mubeen
5.0 out of 5 stars Das beste Buch zu dem Thema Pakistan.
Reviewed in Germany on 3 November 2016
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Ich war in Pakistan während 1992-2007 gewesen.
Dieses Buch von Prof. Lieven ist eine perfekte Darstellung des gesellschaftspolitischen Zustands dieses Landes.
Andere Bücher über Pakistan scheinen als Schulbücher im Vergleich zu diesem Buch.
Empfehlung: Man sollte nicht Zeit und Geld auf andere Bücher verschwenden.
This is the book which can break down the stereotyping and prejudices in reader's mind about this particular country.
I read many books about Pakistan over last 10 years, and mostly found that the authors presented their own heavily biased opinions as the ground reality of Pakistan.
Naturally, I wasn't in a mood to buy another book. But when I read the reviews, I thought I should take the risk pf spending money and time on this book.
And it turned out that this book is certainly an exception.
The author has, instead of presenting his own fears and opinions in this 500 pages book, carried out indeed a rare and serious effort to present a very clear picture of what he experienced in Pakistan and got to know about the people and the country.
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Manpreet Kumar
5.0 out of 5 stars amazing insight
Reviewed in India on 27 August 2024
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i like its depth
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Marta
4.0 out of 5 stars molto molto molto interessante
Reviewed in Italy on 11 December 2014
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Non l'ho ancora finito ma con calma mi ci metto.
Sono stata in Pakistan e questo libro, con le sue teorie molto ardite, mi convince. A partire da dati reali e una profonda conoscenza di questa nazione non molto compresa ne conosciuta fornisce una chiave di lettura molto interessante.
Consigliato a chi vuole conoscere meglio il Pakistan senza preconcetti.
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Munawar
5.0 out of 5 stars A good read
Reviewed in Canada on 11 September 2013
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Provides valuable information about a country which is facing the most difficult time these days. I would recommend the book.
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Bruce E. McLeod Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and Revealing
Reviewed in the United States on 20 September 2011
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Anatol Lieven wrote an all encompassing and fascinating book about politics, family dynasties and provincial kinship corporations that defines the mysteries of Pakistan. I was intrigued to read about the lawlessness, the shady and corrupted officials and wondered why this country is not listed as a "failed state" since it has a weak and unresponsive government incapable of controlling the country at large. It somehow manages to survive amid the lack of civility, self-control and internecine violence between the multi-layered tribes, but it does not speak well for the largest Muslim country in the Arab world.
The name Pakistan is an acronym, born in the mindset of students at Cambridge University in the early 20th century. The partitioning would give Muslims a home where they could escape the hardships of Hindu hegemony. However, as they sought religious freedom, it turns out that tribalism, corrupt government officials, recalcitrant and entrenched-rival family ties trumped a meaningful religious life based on the Koran and the reverence of Islamic sages.
The British government, of 19th century India, played a role in the present day animosities over border disputes between India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. They may have erred in assigning administrative control of Kashmir to India since most of these sacred grounds are located in Pakistan.
As Muslims departed from India and Hindus left Pakistan, pogroms ensued as they crisscrossed. The vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, was to build an entirely new country that never before existed. Now, after more than six decades, it is apparent that the major focus of Pakistan is to have a military that is capable of defeating the Indian army. This option is preferred rather than policies geared to provide a competent and stable government that will broaden and strengthen the infrastructure to support the citizenry. This is a book worthy of reading and digesting because Pakistan plays a pivotal role in the quest for tolerance and peace in the region involving the Pashtuns, the Taliban, the Balochs and their interrelationship. Pakistan is indeed a hard country.
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dcgnyc
4.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended as a first time reading on Pakistan
Reviewed in the United States on 21 August 2011
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This is an excellent book for readers who don't know much about Pakistan. Through his dead-accurate insight into how things work(or don't work)in the country, Levin gives readers the right contextual framework to assess play by play developments in Pakistan today. The easy to read book is the best primer on Pakistan to date in my view.
Informed readers on the other hand may find this book thin. If you understand Pakistan, the book might provide some interesting gossip at best, nothing more. But then again, if you truly understand Pakistan, you wouldn't need books to know what's going on.
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Pasquale1
3.0 out of 5 stars NOT FUN TO READ AFTER THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS
Reviewed in Canada on 16 August 2017
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i found this book hard to read after a couple of chapters, seemed to repeat itself each chapter.
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Roland Muff
5.0 out of 5 stars Well documented description of an Important country
Reviewed in Germany on 15 October 2015
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This book provides a well documented, well researched and well structured description of a complex country and a complex society that westerners regularly read or hear about in the news, but also regularly fail to understand. The author's great achievement consists in highlighting and explaining the specific characteristics of Pakistan and its recent history. It is one of those rare books that highlights the need of transcending western or european concepts when analyzing non european societies.
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ks chaturvedi
4.0 out of 5 stars very fine book on Pakistan
Reviewed in India on 3 January 2019
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Pakistan by Anatol Lieven is a very fine, well researched, based on facts and interviews of commoners, terrorists and civil and military brass retied as well as in service. Such books are very rarely written due to restrictions imposed by Pakistan government particularly on Indians. This credit wholly goes to The Times who sponsored him for this book. I am very sorry to write that he is possessing very poor knowledge as far as Indian conditions are concerned.There is rampant corruption and the justice system is completely broken down. It is travesty that the army has hijacked the Pakistan Nation and God knows when the shackles of army will loose and democracy would be restored. I cite few lines from this book as under.
at page 421 ^However, he also described how for almost 15 years he had been trying to recover a Rs800000/
from another businessman through the Pakistani courts :bribe after bribe, and nothing happened, because of course the side was bribing too, and so the case was delayed and delayed^
This is very shameful. Only arm forces enjoying fully. This was evident when there was great food and earth quake in POK and other parts of Pakistan. The book has not covered these two catastrophes. Only the History would decide at a later stage that Muslim League and Mr Jinnah was totally wrong in creating Pakistan with the secret help of Britishers.
I strongly recommend this book to diplomats and students of international relations as well general readers. There no mistake of facts. The language is very lucid and i have relished, enjoyed completely.
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Joost Strickx
4.0 out of 5 stars An informative read on a complex country
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 June 2011
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This timely book has its merits and could undoubtedly contribute to a more nuanced interpretation of events in this important country. One can only hope that people involved in the foreign policy of the United States take note as one message that Mr. Lieven does get across is that a US-military intervention in Pakistan would have disastrous consequences for the whole of Southeast Asia.
Mr. Lieven explains the very big social and ethnic differences which characterise the 4 states which constitute Pakistan. Every observer should take these into account before drawing any conclusions on events in this `hard' and fascinating country. Terrorist attacks by the Taliban in Pathan-dominated regions have entirely different motives than for instance attacks by Baluchistan terrorists, financed by India.
Lieven illustrates very well how institutions (such as a judicial system, politics...), which characterize democratic countries have been adapted and perverted in Pakistan into something which cannot contribute to the efficient functioning of a modern state. Corruption and patronage seems to be intimately linked to politics and the judicial system seems to act inherently slow and to benefit only the rich...
The merit of this book is to underline this and should help Western journalists not to draw the wrong, tendentious conclusions.
The success of the Taliban in imposing shariah in the tribal areas, is for quite a lot of Western journalists an illustration of the dangers of this awful repressive and regressive regime. Lieven shows however that in the mainly Pathan-dominated regions the local population simply prefers to replace the state judicial system by a system which is experienced as faster and more just. The state judicial system is very slow, often corrupt and is de facto a colonial relic, imposed on the people with the utmost disregard for the existing traditional ethical system of Pasthunwali. It will come as a surprise, but the female population even prefers the shariah, as it is experiences it as more female-friendly than the old Pasthunwali system.
Politics in the Pakistani way seems to be a caricature of the democratic system known in the Western world. Votes are cast along tribal or feudal lines, mostly simply on basis of clientelism. The military is apparently the only institution based on meritocracy and has played a rather positive role in this state and could well be much more beneficial for the country and its people than for instance the democratically-elected kleptocracy of President Zardari. The Bhutto-regimes, mostly depicted positively in the Western press, were characterized by huge corruption
Pakistan is obviously a very intriguing but also complicated country. It is a pity that the confused organisation of this book does not always contribute to a clear understanding. One has the impression that for some reason this book has been hurried for publication.
The author does put in a lot of factual details, often on basis of first-hand experience gathered during his frequent visits to the country, however this does not always lead to a strong argumentation.
The author's statement that environmental factors could have a catastrophic impact on the future of Pakistan, mentioned in the introduction and in the conclusion is not worked out at all.
The subtitle `A Hard Country' does not completely reflect the theme of the book, which pays an undue great attention to the phenomenon of the Taliban, most likely due to Mr. Lieven's background as a journalist.
A very big deficiency of this book is the complete lack of maps.
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Thomas R.
5.0 out of 5 stars PAK
Reviewed in Germany on 14 December 2023
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Alles bestens.
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manoj kumar
5.0 out of 5 stars Compassionate account of a hated country
Reviewed in India on 1 January 2022
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More people must read this to understand the country better
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Souvik Mitra
5.0 out of 5 stars How it works, if it does...
Reviewed in the United States on 14 April 2012
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Personally, reading this book left me feeling that I know so much more about Pakistan than I did before, & that I understand so much more than I did before, & yet, because of the spiral, inter-connecting, complexities of its society, history, culture & the sheer inundation of all kinds of -isms at play, it left me feeling that I still cannot construct a cogent mental summary of what I had read.
But that's me. And, I reckon that that's true of Lieven too. Meticulous in his research, & frank in his commentary - Lieven himself seems to find these rich connections, document-able, & still somehow nor summable into a whole. But that's not to take anything away from the great work that this book is. It is neatly, to the extent possible, divided in themes - introductory, evolution of Pakistan as a nation state; societal structures: justice, religion, military, politics, & then the states ending with a chapter on the Taleban. Note that economics is a glaring miss- except as a chapter in the introduction - but as you'll realize, this grouping is probably right from the point of view of what really are the defining structures in Pakistan, & economics, sadly, is not one of them.
In chapter after chapter, Lieven weaves - for writes seems terribly limiting - the Pakistani experiences together. The concepts of justice are twisted by ideas of honor, religion divides;India unites & patronages mean a more equitable income distribution at the cost of a weaker state. Radicalism & progress are both thwarted by many plural & strong identities & the commentaries of many Pakistanis - diligently documented by Lieven - either add to this complexity or illuminate depending on your own ability to connect the deluge of dots together.
There are certain attempts at humour in a largely serious work just as there is a certain amount of sympathy & empathy that emanates from Lieven about Pakistan where he seems to have spent a lot of time. This is particularly apparent to me, as an Indian, when Lieven, with some degree of regularity, compares the "negatives" in Pakistan with India, & finds them no worse than the Indian experience - & does not cite anything where India is perhaps comparatively better.
I recommend this book highly because of its nuances & details & the insights its brings. The fact that stitching these isolated insights into a coherent model of a country remains a painstaking task says more about the country than about the book.
And I would have loved to have seen more on Pakistani food, music & cricket.
@souvikstweets
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Coppije
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 January 2017
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This as stunning book to read. I have never visited Pakistan and only have a rough knowledge of its history but I found Mr Lieven's descriptions of the many challenges facing Pakistan fascinating. He has a lively and engaging writing style which makes it easy to read and to understand the many overlapping compexiites that impact on the culture and goivernment of Pakistan and its relations with the rest of the world. I would definitely recommend reading it and especially if you are planning to visit the country. If you are not Pakistani and are planning to work there, this is essential reading.
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Mark William
5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr gutes Insider Buch
Reviewed in Germany on 1 January 2015
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Möchtest Du wissen, wie Pakistan läuft? Warum das Land so viel Chaos hat und dennoch weiter lebt? Der Autor ist ein professor an der King's College in London.Er ist auch ein Korrespondent der britischen Zeit "The Times". Er ist also insider. Die deutschen Bücher über Pakistan sind dagegen ungenau und bewußt falsch. Die deutschen Autoren haben einfach zu wenig Wissen über Pakistan. Das Buch von Lieven ist allerdings für Fortgeschrittene.
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peter upton
5.0 out of 5 stars The best analysis on Pakistan
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 January 2013
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Lieven has his critics, some say he is too harsh others too simplistic, the reality is that this is the most effective analysis of Pakistan that anyone has produced in a long time. He manages to cover all of the themes from the role of the army to the still triumphalism of feudalism, from the tensions between warring clans to what binds this country together. As someone who works and lives in Pakistan I continue to refer to this book and so do most Pakistani's. Excellent
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Chris Ambrosio
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book about Pakistan
Reviewed in the United States on 12 September 2025
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Hands down the best book about Pakistan I have read.
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reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended to interested readers
Reviewed in India on 1 December 2016
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Well researched and comprehensive writing on the state of and the state in Pakistan. The writer lays out the reasons that brought the country to its present state. Highly recommended to interested readers.
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Mr. James A. Benton
3.0 out of 5 stars Poses interesting question and a good overview, but the final word on Pakistan, it ain't.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 May 2012
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I'd seen several positive reviews of this book in the Guardian last year and had made a mental note to get myself a copy once it came out in paperback. Firstly, it's worth noting that this paperback edition features two maps of Pakistan, the first shows it and the countries it borders, the second is a more detailed zoomed in map detailing the various provinces of Punjab, Sindh etc. The lack of a map was a chief criticism of many of the preceding reviews on this page and one that almost convinced me to not buy the book, so I can only assume this has been changed since the release of the paperback.
Onto the book itself, having lived with a friend from Lahore at University, we found ourselves always drawn back to discussing his home nation and it's myriad of problems, the control the ISI wields, the paradox of Jinnah and the Taliban. Having both read it, we agreed that its an interesting piece of work but it does fall short in some respects. Several parts of the book are dedicated to discussing a certain province, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. My friend's chief criticism here was the lack of discussion of the other peoples who make up the nation of Pakistan. Whilst, as Mr Lieven duly notes that Pakistan could not function without the hegemony that the multitudinous Punjabis enjoy,it's a shame to see the Parsi, Irani, and Pashtun people living outside of Balochistan not given much, if any column inches.
My second criticism would be how in the latter half of the book, it begins to tail off. Prophetically the last chapter is called 'Defeating the Taliban?' a problem so complex that a generation of statesman have failed to come close. Anyone who knows Pakistan knows that its leaders have always had one major concern, having safe borders with Iran, China and most importantly Afghanistan. Those following recent developments in Tehran and Kandahar will know this is not so, and until Pakistan loses its paranoia over war with India, any government in its various incarnations will continue to pay lip-service to the Taliban and the US, knowing that keeping one of the two onside is simply not viable.
In all, it probably sounds like I'm bashing the book but I'm not. It's a great piece of work on a country that still in its infancy in terms of books on the subject and well worth a read, just don't expect this to be the final word on Pakistan.
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KO
3.0 out of 5 stars worth a read, but read alongside some other, better books on the region
Reviewed in the United States on 9 June 2011
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Gets some stuff right, a lot right, but the whole book is written from the point of view of a academic journalist pontificating to government types as to whether Pakistan is going to become a islamist terrorist case. So many things are approached from that point of view. It gets annoying and stays annoying.
It's worth a read, and if Anatol could bring up topics which went beyond "oh lets look at this aspect of Pakistan and it's contribution or lack of to breeding islamic terrorists" it would have been a great book. But repeatedly he fails to just look at the country or the people.
He also fails to appreciate or look into the staggeringly huge impact other countries besides India have had on Pakistan's development - whether the USSR, America, China or Saudi Arabia outside of just funding terrorists, or the sheer extent of American money spent on influencing the Pakistan army and hence the very state itself. Edit: He does suggest that the only way to move forward for the country is for the outside world to do better with engaging and influencing Pakistan, the country and it's people, and not just the military.
A few billion dollars goes a very, very long way in a poor country, something which Anatol glosses over to airbrush the many very negative effects of practically all American engagement with Pakistan so far. If you just read this book, without reading any of the other histories out there, you would walk away thinking that Pakistan pretty much ran the jihad against Russia and America and Saudi Arabia were just sparring buddies helping out Pakistan. Heck, even the movie Charlie Wilson's War will give you a better idea of that era than this book.
It fulfills it's purpose at the end - to justify to western politicians the need to continue engaging Pakistan and to stop thinking about it solely in terms of terrorism, but it would have been nice if Anatol could have managed to that too. He could have had a great book if he could have taken off his islamic terrorist glasses.
Still gets three stars because it's worth a read and Anatol has great insights into Pakistani politicians and how society is structured. And of course as the current hot Pakistan expert Anatol's viewpoints are important, more important than what may or may not be actually happening.
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Omorhefere Imoloame
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 April 2023
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The author gives a very good introduction to Pakistan, it’s tribes and it’s politics. Would have liked more information about its industries tho
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TULLY MOSS
5.0 out of 5 stars Deep insights
Reviewed in the United States on 4 September 2013
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This is a superb profile of Pakistan by a Westerner who has spent years living in and traveling around the country. The insights are deep, and they convey the complexity of Pakistani society with just the right balance of conceptual framework and revealing stories. This book should be required reading for every member of the U.S. government who has influence over America's relationship with Pakistan. The book has changed my own formerly simplistic view of Pakistan: I now see it as a critically important country that is struggling with very complex legacy issues - many of its own making, some resulting from its colonial past, and some caused by U.S. policy. Anyone wanting a more informed, insightful understanding of Pakistan should read this book.
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Mitadru Basu
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful narrative
Reviewed in India on 4 May 2021
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An insightful narrative about the country.
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john rooney
4.0 out of 5 stars hope for global understanding and domestic peace, justice, prosperity for two countries in crisis.
Reviewed in the United States on 25 January 2016
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brilliant, highly readable account of history, culture, politics, sociology of pakistan. excellent background for the works of rashid on
taliban; jihad in central asia; descent into chaos&pakistan on the brink - the latter two focused on pakistan. this book and rashid's
books deserve 5 stars - but i leave the fifth star to experts, as my opinion is strictly that of an interested amateur. alas, the recent
attacks in and around peshawar - reportedly by taliban - on major secondary school and university tragically illustrate what challenges
both pakistan and afghanistan must cope with in continuing to build viable constitutional democratic polities to which both
countries are (heroically) committed and determined to achieve.
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Nathik
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Objective Analysis
Reviewed in India on 3 August 2015
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Anatol's Book on Pakistan is a critical and an excellent analysis of various complexities of Pakistan. Excellent read. Highly recommended!
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Seeker
4.0 out of 5 stars Really Fascinating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 May 2011
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I agree with an earlier reviewer that this book could have done with at least one map. Also, at times, the author's style is a little idiosyncratic and it could probably have shed at least 50 pages in editing.
That saying, it is a really fascinating book. As someone who is interested in international affairs and conscious of the links that Britain had and has with Pakistan, I am humbled by how little I really knew about Pakistan - arguably one of the most important crucibles of impact in the contemporary world.
Lieven paints an extraordinary picture of what, by any standards, is an enormously complex society - or perhaps series of barely connected societies. No wonder the book itself is complicated.
I think this book should be compulsory reading for anyone who wishes to opine on international affairs, Islam, terrorism, South Asia, democracy - or lack of - in the developing world, even Britain. You will find every view that you expressed before brought into question.
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Michael E. Murray MD
5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific Update On Pakistan
Reviewed in the United States on 4 July 2011
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Anatol Lieven's "Pakistan" is an amazingly informative and well written book. Part One introduces the nation and its modern history. Those who follow the shallow coverage of the western media will realize how much we have been misinformed. Part Two details the political, justice, religious and military aspects of Pakistani society. Part Three takes us through the large and varied regions of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and the Pathans. Lieven's descriptions of the great cities of Lahore and Karachi are sufficiently fascinating that they may reshape the views of persons not intimately familiar with the nation. Throughout the volume the author carefully distinguishes between the Afghan and Pakistan Taleban and this discussion is wrapped up in Part Four. This knowledge is critical to any understaanding of how the Pakistani government makes decisions regarding its own longtrm interests which sometimes may be in conflict with current and temporary interests of the United States. Lieven's prose brings the area and its issues into full focus.
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Addy3
4.0 out of 5 stars Tremendous Book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 May 2017
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
As a second generation son of a Pakistani immigrant born in the UK I possessed a desire to learn more about Pakistan. Like most people I met few people who had anything good to say about this much maligned state. Anatol`s book provides a detailed insight into the disparate ethnic, tribal and cultural peoples of this troubled country. Some of the chapters are real eye openers and surprisingly fascinating. I feel that I have absorbed more from this book about my fathers country than I did from my father.
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S. Rafiq
4.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant introduction to Pakistan
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 March 2012
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
As someone that gets most of their ideas on Pakistan from the media - I generally would have a negative understanding of Pakistan. this book explains how modern Pakistan works and what the issues are in the present day. It explains the politics and military structures to a T.
I would give it five stars but the author's writing style involves a lot of parentheses which I found disrupted my reading flow.
If you want to know about Pakistan, buy this book, it will open your eyes. You may even fall in love with Pakistan.
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Anonymous
5.0 out of 5 stars Shifts the focus away from short term irrelvancies
Reviewed in the United States on 19 January 2013
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I really appreciated this book because it - very correctly - plays down the (Western media generated) hype about Islamism and other trivialities, and focuses on the truly phenomenal force of climate change. You just have to visit Pakistan or India - or any country in south east Asia and maybe even Africa - and realize, first hand, this is the real issue affecting people on an existential level - even though they themselves may not be cognizant of it. It is a sad fact that religious extremism and bombings are far more sexy than global warming and desertification. It would help if we just tuned all the rubbish that the media inflicts upon us and went out and experienced things for ourselves.
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Sophie
3.0 out of 5 stars Pakistan and terrorism?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 December 2020
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Haven't read it yet, but after reading the intro and skim reading the rest, it seemed a book written from a Western perspective - all with the view of terrorism. I was looking more for a book from a native perspective - one that doesn't just assess if and/or why Pakistan suffers with terrorism. If I can put aside this annoyance then I will read it and change this review!
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Scott B MN transplant
5.0 out of 5 stars highly recommended
Reviewed in the United States on 1 November 2017
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I would consider this to be required reading for anyone who wants to understand the complexities of Pakistan, with the added bonus that the style is completely engaging and really brings the reader down to the "street level view". Not politicized, and presents the Pakistani point of view well, even though at times that probably will make a "western" reader uncomfortable. I think a copy should be issued to every member of the US Congress as a concise, easy to read primer on a country which plays a large role in current - and future - geopolitics. Great read for the non-academic.
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Mohammad Ashraf Chaudhry
5.0 out of 5 stars A Refreshing Re-look at Pakistan
Reviewed in the United States on 16 December 2012
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Pakistan:A hard Country is an interesting book, written with an open mind. Lieven's insight in the social and cultural fabric of Pakistan is unique in the sense that what we as the natives of the country deem as the main vices, responsible for holding the country back-economically, political and even socially, he regards them as its main virtues, and its strength. Lieven's alarm about Pakistan's sole gamble on the river Indus, and about the population explosion, and Pakistan's complacency about the two looming disasters constitute the most relevant and most sincere analysis. Lieven has the power to attract the reader. I found his book highly interesting
Mohammad A Chaudhry
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SAN
5.0 out of 5 stars A very good read ....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 February 2016
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Very good read ..... Anatol Lieven has got it right, how society works in Pakistan.
Students of social sciences shall find wealth of knowledge for their subjects. As a matter of fact this is how it is. People born there shall have a better idea with all the life perspective they have, that what Mr. Lieven means exactly at a number of spots. It is a complex to understand when compared with Western Societies, however, South Asian countries have this rainbow of socio-religious culture there.
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Maximillen (Saif)
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolutely excellent book to understand the country
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 May 2018
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An absolutely excellent book to understand the country, its complexity and different ethnic groups and very much from the perspective of the people there. It presents an intimate picture into the nation while also explaining the reasons of problem within it without glossing over some of the more uncomfortable truths. This is one of the most highly recommended books of mine to anyone who wants to know about Pakistan.
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JPP
5.0 out of 5 stars Pakistan: a hard country
Reviewed in the United States on 6 October 2013
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
The book gives a fascinating, exhaustive review on the highly complicated Pakistani society with its myriad cross-loyalties necessary for survival, other than to a remote government. These strong cross-loyalties to family, religion, clan and, or local officials with mutual electoral dependence seem a key feature in shaping Pakistani society. My personal knowledge of the region is gathered only from reading, not from actual visits. Books like these, and the posted reviews here with constructive critical comments give me a much appreciated look in. Brim-filled page turner, recommended.
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B. Crosby
4.0 out of 5 stars Very comprehensive review of Pakistan
Reviewed in the United States on 15 February 2013
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There is too much here for the layperson who only has a passing interest in Pakistan and its threats to us. This is really an exhaustive look at all facets of Pakistan culture, religion, and politics which very eye opening like their lack of government and local government corruption and diversity of religion sects and tribalism. I would hate to run that country.
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Rohitesh
3.0 out of 5 stars A sympathetic view of Pakistan
Reviewed in the United States on 7 July 2015
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The understanding of the Pakistani society and it's myriad groups is rather accurate.
However, the author is making a case for everybody to help Pakistan do what a country should do on its own. It's like a hostage situation. Give me 'x and x' otherwise I will shoot myself. If that happens, my pit bulls will attack all the neighborhood. Pakistan has been following the same strategy with the U.S. and getting billion dollars military aid every year. The author seems to be falling for the same ruse
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Gary Oregon
5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading for every American
Reviewed in the United States on 3 May 2011
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
What a joy to read such an intelligent analysis in the midst of the mountain of verbiage generally produced on the Middle East by US media.
The recent raid in Pakistan has made this accurate and dispassionate analysis more valuable than ever. And despite the current joy in this country concerning the apparent results, one of the messages of the book is very sobering--there is a lot of bad feeling against America in Pakistan and elsewhere in the Middle East and for some valid reasons.
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Notfake:)
5.0 out of 5 stars Remarkable analysis of the country and society
Reviewed in the United States on 17 January 2023
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I have never read a better book about Pakistan. Absolute truth. Wish I had read that book 10 years ago.
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beckyly
5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating and easy read
Reviewed in the United States on 20 July 2011
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This book was great, fascinating about Pakistan's people and politics, scholarly written but read very easily. I had travelled in Pakistan after college in the mid-90s and wanted something to bring me up to speed on the country since 9/11. Lievel is very empathic toward the people and culture but also very realistic about the problems and shows in a very intelligent way why the American approach to the country is flawed.
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Richard Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 November 2016
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I've not finished the book yet but it's been my go to book whenever I have a moment spare. Fantastic read and written in a way to keep the reader interested in the different facets of the subject.
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Dr. M
1.0 out of 5 stars a poor read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 December 2021
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I lost interest from the beginning as author started parroting ‘state issued’ narrative about its indigenous people,culture and political struggles . It’s poorly researched and based on stories by military generals,feudal and some political and ethnic fringe elements working against a true democratic political process. Author seemed too lazy to go into depth of political and social dynamics of Pakistan. Over all this book is waste of money and time.
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Younas Vaseem Alam
4.0 out of 5 stars Good choice
Reviewed in the United States on 10 December 2015
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Very detailed book on Pakistan.
Sometime repetetive.
All in all a god book.
A mist read for people who want to know about Pakistan.
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Zina Rohan
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 December 2016
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I bought this as a present for someone else and I haven't given it to her yet.
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Tomie
5.0 out of 5 stars Very familiar with Pakistan
Reviewed in the United States on 18 June 2013
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This is the first comprehensible book I have read on the history of Pakistan. Having lived in Pakistan for approximately four years from 1952 to 1956 and traveled from one end to anotherI can attest to the accuracy of those years as written. Well done. RA
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nvision energy
4.0 out of 5 stars a good, recent primer on Pakistan
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 May 2014
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this was recommended to us by the political councilor at the Bulgarian embassy in Islamabad. It's a good, detailed primer on recent Pakistani history and politics.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 9 January 2018
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A very thorough discussion
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B. R. Ghafoor
5.0 out of 5 stars Cool
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 December 2012
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This is a very clear book and I would recommend it.
The book would also have been more enjoyable if amazon paid taxes properly in the UK.
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Chandu
3.0 out of 5 stars It's okay
Reviewed in the United States on 9 June 2013
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Well researched. But fell short of being insightful. Pakistan is a difficult subject to cover. It's complexities make for interesting reading. This book meets the mark on that count but I did expect more.
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Janet Kingswood
5.0 out of 5 stars Very highly rated, in its objectivity, depth of ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 January 2015
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Very highly rated , in its objectivity , depth of analysis, unadorned prose style and language..
An author who knows his subject and communicates it with skill and clarity.
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Kazuya Mishima
5.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 May 2017
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Great read, very informative and accessible to anyone without any previous knowledge of Pakistan. I would definately recommend this .
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C. S. D. Robertson
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent briefing on Pakistan
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 December 2015
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Really good on Pakistan - a great read for anyone who needs to understand this country ..and even includes relative praise for Sharia law
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katya belaia
5.0 out of 5 stars Relevant. Informative.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Covers the subject from all angles, written with great insight. Very relevant read in today's world. Anything but dry with numerous humorous episodes and personal encounters.
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Imran Syed Zaidi
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 August 2016
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Long book! really hard to finish it!
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K Saeed
5.0 out of 5 stars His account is like that of a person who has actually lived their ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 November 2015
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
His account is like that of a person who has actually lived their and presents an accurate picture of a complicated country
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RichardNYC
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential book on Pakistan
Reviewed in the United States on 7 May 2015
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Very informed, in depth and breadth across regional, ethnic, religious, political, military, historic and strategic dimensions of Pakistan. Long, but held me to the end. Unique facts.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Insightful reading!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 January 2015
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
A indepth and eye opening review to the layers of subtlety in a country often slated in black and white terms in the press.
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Naz Khan
5.0 out of 5 stars Unravelled many mysteries
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 August 2013
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This book gives an insightful overview of what are a complex set of situations and provides answers to some of the many questions I have about Pakistan
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Larry Hedrick
2.0 out of 5 stars Esoterica Pakistania
Reviewed in the United States on 28 September 2014
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This guy no doubt knows what's he's writing about, but it's clear as mud to anyone but other experts on Pakistan.
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Amer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 17 May 2018
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Great objective and in depth analysis. Does not conform to the usual westren stereotypical superficial views.
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Foofienugget
5.0 out of 5 stars The best I've read...
Reviewed in the United States on 17 March 2014
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Pakistan is a mysterious place to many people. Lieven did us a great service by writing this book, which sheds light on the many facets of life in Pakistan.
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Edward D. Sy
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on Pakistan!
Reviewed in the United States on 2 May 2018
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Best book I have read on Pakistan. I have recommended to many avid readers.
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Akmal Qabal
5.0 out of 5 stars Many years of research and hard work and above all a very honest account of the country
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 December 2012
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Very well researched, Lieven has a genuine interest in the country and its people. A must read for anyone who want to understand the often misunderstood country.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on 23 August 2018
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Very well written and accurate book about what pakistan is really like
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Anne Roth
5.0 out of 5 stars Analysis of the country
Reviewed in the United States on 29 August 2013
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Lieven's insider approach to the how's and why's of Pakistan's current situation is clear, direct, and - for someone preparing to visit the country - very helpful.
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Aimee Brant
5.0 out of 5 stars Pakistani cultures
Reviewed in the United States on 14 March 2017
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Out of date currently, but excellent review of the cultures of
tribal patronage, familism, corruption.
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Siddhartha
2.0 out of 5 stars Not that great
Reviewed in India on 30 December 2021
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Not that great
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ABrar
5.0 out of 5 stars Great in depth and informative read on a very complicated and interesting country
Reviewed in the United States on 22 November 2012
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Great in depth and informative read on a very complicated and interesting country. Well researched and well written. Also a good book to read before travelling to Pakistan.
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Eileen Eastman
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!
Reviewed in the United States on 18 October 2013
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
After reading this book I feel I have a better understanding of Pakistan. The book is extremely informative, easy to read and definitely educational.
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Ekman
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 14 August 2016
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Single best book I've read to date on Pakistan's history and prospects for change.
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Daniel Salzer
5.0 out of 5 stars great book
Reviewed in the United States on 22 July 2013
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the book is easy to read and gives a great insight into Pakistan. It allows the reader to see Pakistan in a new light.
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Kazim
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in the United States on 16 September 2017
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Book in good condition without any markings. Loved it.
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Abigail
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 21 December 2017
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A hard country, but soft cover??? Fake news!
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Shahmir Khan
5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty much on the spot.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 January 2013
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Easy reading, close to reality. book is based on real accounts and personal experience and not just one's thought. totally recommend it.
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Mike Ford
5.0 out of 5 stars Great product and service.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 May 2018
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Great product and service.
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Glen Sexton
5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Expetations
Reviewed in the United States on 23 October 2011
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Assalomo Alaykom. Very good vendor. Book arrived ahead of schedule. Book arrived in "new" condition. I will certainly use this vendor again. Great Vendor.
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Bob Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Read of a Hard Country
Reviewed in the United States on 21 December 2016
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Very well written...gives you a good gritty look at Pakistan.
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Yaseen Mohammed
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 August 2015
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Anatol Leiven has wrote a very good book.
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Dr Zakila. Feroze-Din
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 January 2016
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Very factual
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Taimur
5.0 out of 5 stars A true journey
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 August 2014
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Incredibly insightful
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==
<파키스탄: 어려운 국가> 요약 및 평론
서론: 서구의 오해와 파키스탄의 실체
아나톨 리븐(Anatol Lieven)의 저서 <파키스탄: 어려운 국가>는 서구 언론과 정계가 파키스탄을 바라보는 지배적인 시각, 즉 이 나라가 당장이라도 붕괴하여 핵무기가 테러리스트의 손에 들어갈지 모른다는 <실패한 국가>(Failed State) 프레임에 정면으로 도전한다. 저자는 파키스탄이 극심한 위기 속에서도 결코 쉽게 무너지지 않는 독특한 탄력성을 지니고 있음을 논증한다. 리븐의 핵심 주장은 파키스탄이라는 국가 제도는 매우 취약하고 부패했을지언정, 그 밑바닥을 받치고 있는 사회 구조는 대단히 견고하며 보수적이라는 점이다. 즉, 파키스탄을 움직이는 진짜 힘은 서구식 관료제나 법치주의가 아니라, 수백 년간 이어져 온 친족 관계, 카스트, 그리고 종교적 네트워크다.
도서 요약
1. 친족 집단(비라다리)과 사회적 결속
리븐이 파키스탄 사회를 이해하는 가장 중요한 열쇠로 제시하는 개념은 <비라다리>(Biradari)라 불리는 친족 및 씨족 집단이다. 파키스탄에서 개인의 가장 강력한 충성 대상은 국가가 아니라 자신이 속한 씨족이다. 정치, 경제, 사회적 보호 등 삶의 모든 영역이 이 비라다리를 통해 이루어진다.
이 구조는 양날의 검과 같다. 한편으로는 국가가 복지나 치안을 전혀 제공하지 못하는 상황에서도 씨족 공동체가 개인의 안전망 역할을 하기 때문에 사회의 총체적 붕괴를 막아준다. 그러나 다른 한편으로는 공공의 이익보다 씨족의 이익을 우선시하기 때문에, 국가 기관의 부패와 정경유착을 당연시하는 풍토를 낳는다. 능력주의 대신 혈연과 연고에 기반한 정치가 판을 치게 되며, 이는 강력한 근대 국가로의 이행을 가로막는 결정적 장애물이 된다.
2. 파키스탄 군부: 국가 안의 국가
파키스탄에서 가장 고도로 조직화되고 효율적으로 작동하는 집단은 단연 군부다. 리븐은 파키스탄 군대를순수한 군사 조직을 넘어 하나의 거대한 사회적, 경제적 계급이자 국가의 수호자로 묘사한다. 군부는 스스로를 부패한 정치인들로부터 나라를 구원할 유일한 보루로 여기며, 실제로도 파키스탄 역사에서 여러 차례 쿠데타를 통해 직접 권력을 잡았다.
군부가 강력한 응집력을 유지할 수 있는 비결 역시 파키스탄 특유의 사회 구조와 맞닿아 있다. 군은 펀자브와 카이버 파크툰크와 등 특정 지역의 친족 네트워크를 군의 구조 내로 성공적으로 흡수하여 충성심을 확보했다. 그러나 군부가 지나치게 거대해지면서 민간 정치가 성장할 기회를 박탈했고, 인도와의 끝없는 대립을 명분 삼아 국가 예산의 막대한 부분을 독점하는 부작용을 낳았다.
3. 종교의 다층성과 정서
서구인들은 흔히 파키스탄을 당장이라도 탈레반화될 위험이 있는 광신적인 이슬람 국가로 보지만, 리븐은 파키스탄의 종교 지형이 매우 다층적이라고 분석한다. 파키스탄 이슬람의 다수를 차지하는 것은 전통적인 수피즘(Sufism)에 기반한 <바렐비>(Barelvi) 학파다. 이들은 성자 숭배와 신비주의적 전통을 따르며, 근본주의적인 와하비즘이나 탈레반의 드오반드(Deobandi) 학파와는 거리가 멀다.
따라서 파키스탄 사회 전체가 극단주의 테러리즘에 굴복할 가능성은 매우 낮다. 대다수 민중에게 이슬람은 정치적 혁명의 도구가 아니라 일상생활을 지탱하는 보수적인 도덕 규범이다. 하지만 국가의 정통성이 이슬람이라는 종교 위에 세워졌기 때문에, 온건한 대중조차도 신성모독이나 이슬람의 가치를 모독하는 사안에 대해서는 극단적으로 반응하는 모순을 보인다.
4. 지방의 역학 관계: 펀자브, 신드, 발로치스탄, 카이버 파크툰크와
파키스탄은 하나의 단일한 국가라기보다는 이질적인 지역들의 연합체에 가깝다. 인구의 과반을 차지하며 군부와 관료제를 장악한 <펀자브>, 대토지 소유주(외다르)들이 봉건적 지배 체제를 유지하는 <신드>, 연방 정부에 대한 뿌리 깊은 반감과 분리주의 운동이 지속되는 <발로치스탄>, 그리고 아프가니스탄과 국경을 맞대고 파스툰 부족 사회의 규범이 지배하는 <카이버 파크툰크와>까지, 각 지방은 저마다의 생존 논리를 지니고 있다. 리븐은 이러한 지방의 분열상이 국가의 통합을 방해하지만, 동시에 어느 한 세력이 국가 전체를 독재적으로 지배하거나 전면적인 혁명을 일으키는 것도 불가능하게 만드는 억제기 역할을 한다고 본다.
평론: 냉철한 리얼리즘과 그 한계
1. 현장 연구에 기반한 뛰어난 인류학적 통찰
아나톨 리븐의 가장 큰 공헌은 서구 학자들이 흔히 범하는 오류인 <제도 중심적 접근>을 탈피했다는 점이다. 그는 헌법이나 정당 선언문 같은 서류상의 텍스트 대신, 파키스탄 전역을 발로 뛰며 만난 농부, 부족장, 군인, 성직자들의 목소리를 통해 파키스탄의 진짜 생존 메커니즘을 밝혀냈다.
그가 제시한 <부패와 연고주의가 오히려 사회를 안정시키는 시멘트 역할을 한다>는 가설은 대단히 도발적이면서도 설득력이 있다. 서구의 시각에서는 청산해야 할 적폐에 불과한 친족 정치가, 파키스탄이라는 거칠고 곤경에 처한 환경 속에서는 민중이 생존하기 위해 찾아낸 가장 합리적인 선택방식임을 보여준 것은 인류학적 리얼리즘의 승리다.
2. 변화의 동력에 대한 과소평가
그러나 이 책은 사회의 보수성과 안정성을 지나치게 강조한 나머지, 내제된 변화의 압력을 다소 과소평가하는 경향이 있다. 리븐이 묘사하는 파키스탄은 일종의 고정된 정적(Static) 사회에 가깝다.
하지만 현재 파키스탄은 급격한 도시화, 청년 인구의 폭발적 증가, 그리고 스마트폰과 소셜 미디어의 보급으로 인해 전통적인 비라다리 체제가 빠르게 해체되는 경험을 하고 있다. 젊은 세대는 더 이상 씨족 어른들의 말에 맹목적으로 복종하지 않으며, 전통적인 거대 정당에 반기를 들고 새로운 정치적 변화를 요구하고 있다. 리븐의 프레임워크는 20세기적 파키스탄을 설명하는 데는 탁월하지만, 동동거리는 21세기의 역동성을 담아내는 데는 한계를 보인다.
3. 기후 변수와 경제적 취약성의 간과
또 하나의 결정적 약점은 생태학적, 경제적 위기에 대한 경각심 부족이다. 파키스탄은 인더스강 수계에 절대적으로 의존하는 국가로, 기후 변화에 전 세계에서 가장 취약한 나라 중 하나다. 2020년대 들어 발생한 대규모 홍수와 만성적인 외환 위기는 리븐이 상정했던 <씨족 사회의 복원력>만으로는 해결할 수 없는 전 지구적, 구조적 위기다. 국가의 재정이 완전히 파산하고 인더스강이 고갈되는 상황이 온다면, 아무리 견고한 비라다리 조직이라 할지라도 사회의 붕괴를 막아낼 수 없을 것이다. 리븐의 분석은 정치·사회적 변수에 지나치게 치중되어 있어, 이러한 물질적 기반의 취약성을 다소 간과했다.
결론: 국가의 부실함과 사회의 완고함이 빚어낸 역설
결론적으로 <파키스탄: 어려운 국가>는 파키스탄이라는 거대한 수수께끼를 풀기 위한 필독서다. 아나톨 리븐은 이 나라가 왜 서구의 바람대로 근대화되지 않는지, 동시에 왜 서구의 경고대로 쉽게 파멸하지도 않는지를 명쾌하게 설명해 준다. 파키스탄은 <부서지기 쉽지만 결코 부러지지는 않는> 기묘한 상태를 유지하고 있으며, 그 원동력은 다름 아닌 근대 국가 이전을 지탱하던 완고한 사회적 구조에 있다.
이 책은 외부자의 시선으로 타국을 성급하게 재단하는 것이 얼마나 위험한지 경고하는 강력한 리얼리즘 서사다. 비록 미래의 변화 가능성을 과소평가했다는 비판을 면하기 어렵지만, 파키스탄이라는 복잡한 모자이크화를 이토록 깊이 있게 그려낸 저작은 쉽게 찾아보기 힘들다.
세진님, 세계를 무대로 다양한 문화를 경험하신 만큼, 리븐이 묘사한 파키스탄 특유의 집단 중심적 사회 구조와 서구식 개인주의 제도의 충돌이 더욱 흥미롭게 다가오셨으리라 생각합니다. 추가로 더 알고 싶으신 파키스탄의 역사적 맥락이나 특정 지역의 역학 관계가 있다면 언제든 말씀해 주세요.
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