Domestic legitimacy and interstate rivalry relationship: A time series and case-study analysis of India -Pakistan enduring rivalry
Abstract
Why do states engaged in enduring rivalries sometimes live at peace, while at other times get involved in conflicts? Why are there periods of détente and active conflict in the history of extremely conflictual dyads? In the context of India-Pakistan rivalry, I argue that legitimacy, being a dynamic and continuous variable, can help explain both conflictual as well as peaceful interactions among states engaged in enduring rivalries. A state is more likely to start conflict with another state when domestic legitimacy in either state is low. Here, I use the concept of 'domestic' legitimacy as a broader term that encompasses both state and regime legitimacy as well horizontal and vertical legitimacy to explain decades of an enduring rivalry relationship. During different phases of state development, each aspect of legitimacy gets varied emphasis, providing different opportunities as well as challenges to the leaders to undertake their state-building efforts. Through historical case study and time series analysis of India-Pakistan enduring rivalry, I found that the search for legitimacy by the state leaders provided a context in which interstate rivalry took place. The simultaneous pursuance of this objective by the leaders of different states created contradictions that resulted in the standoff situation of an enduring rivalry.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Shimko, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Asian History|International law|South Asian Studies
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