Date of Award

12-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Liberal Studies

College

College of Humanities and Fine Arts

First Advisor

Richard Aidoo

Second Advisor

Christopher Gunn

Third Advisor

Alan J. Reid

Abstract

This study investigates the development trajectories of China and Pakistan, which shared a similar colonial legacy and hampered economic, political, and social conditions at the time of their establishment in the mid-20th century. However, despite these similarities, the former is a global power, and the latter is still struggling to project a sustained development approach in the 21st century. This research addresses this divergent outcome by using a comparative approach to analyze the institutional, economic, and policy decisions of both countries that eventually shaped their contemporary position and role in the international community. China’s reformation period under a centralized government provided it with the political and institutional stability required for a sustained mechanism to enable reforms. In comparison, Pakistan’s development was hindered by political instability and recurring financial crises, which led to its reliance on external aid, reflecting a common characteristic among many post-colonial states. While China was able to overcome this dependency, Pakistan’s political and institutional fragility has continued to perpetuate this economic volatility. This thesis analyzes the evolution of the development of the two countries in three historical periods (1958-1968, 1976-1988, 2000-2025) using comparative qualitative analysis. The results demonstrate that China managed to succeed due to its strengthened internal control and the selective participation in the global financial system, whereas the growth and development in Pakistan were undermined by the policy discontinuity and the external factors that influenced governance. This study underscores the fact that sustained development depends upon enhancing institutional autonomy, as well as decision-making strategies to navigate the international financial system to pursue sustained economic growth.

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