Pakistan vs India: Why Democracy & Industry Took Different Paths | Nadeem Farooq Paracha

In 1947 Pakistan and India partitioned together - but have ended up on very different paths.

In this episode of Digitales, Nadeem F. Paracha explains how democracy, hybrid governance, language politics, and industrialisation shaped two countries that were once far more similar than they are today.

This is not a nostalgic diatribe but rather a look at how decisions, power, and culture rewrite a nation’s future.

Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:32 Language and Identity in Pakistan
5:17 - English as a National Language and Class Divide
7:00 -The Idea of Arabic as a National Language
9:57 - Cultural Unity and Historical Context
12:12 - Post-1971 Hardline Stance and its Consequences
14:51 - Baloch Nationalism and External Influences
15:58 - Economic Optimism and Future Outlook
17:22 - Separating Religion and State for Economic Progress
21:59 - Impact of Ideology on Society (Drug Legalization Example)
24:19 - Capitalism, Wealth Inequality, and Ideological States
27:08 - China's Economic Success Despite Communism
30:18 - The Perception of Wealth in Pakistan and Visionary Industrialists
35:01 - Critique of Nationalization and Bureaucracy
36:43 - Finding the Middle Ground: Pragmatism over Ideology
40:51 - Critique of "Islamic Economics" and "Islamic Science"
42:08 - The Practicality of a Secular State
43:01 - Balochistan's Grievances and Historical Context
44:31 - External Interference in Balochistan
45:01 - The Role of the Military in Governance
46:31 - The Hybrid Regime and its Economic Impact
48:01 - Addressing Economic Challenges and Poverty
49:16 - The Importance of Education and Social Development
50:31 - Rethinking State's Role in Society
52:01 - Encouraging Visionary Entrepreneurship
53:31 - The Challenge of Mindset and Corruption
55:01 - Lessons from India and China on Wealth Creation
56:31 - The Need for Long-Term Planning and Consistency
1:00:01 - The Future of Pakistan and Regional Dynamics
1:05:01 - Youth and Modernization
1:10:01 - Cultural Evolution and Identity
1:15:01 - Outro