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The Fall of Urdu and the Triumph of English in Pakistan: A Political Economic Analysis (Article)

Author

Listed:
  • Zehra Aftab

    (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad.)

  • John Willoughby

    (American University, Washington, DC, USA.)

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate both how the use of language in higher education in Pakistan has evolved and why the medium of instruction remains a contested terrain. We focus on the struggle between advocates for the use of Urdu and the use of English in higher education. By examining the repeated failed attempts by high political authorities to replace English with Urdu, we demonstrate the usefulness of evolutionary theories of path-dependent institutional change while placing language struggles in the context of national and class stratification.

Suggested Citation

  • Zehra Aftab & John Willoughby, 2023. "The Fall of Urdu and the Triumph of English in Pakistan: A Political Economic Analysis (Article)," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 62(1), pages 87-104.
    • Handle: RePEc:pid:journl:v:62:y:2023:i:1:p:87-104
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Greif, Avner & Laitin, David D., 2004. "A Theory of Endogenous Institutional Change," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 98(4), pages 633-652, November.
    2. Greif, Avner & Tadelis, Steven, 2010. "A theory of moral persistence: Crypto-morality and political legitimacy," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 229-244, September.
    3. Theofanis Papageorgiou & Ioannis Katselidis & Panayotis G. Michaelides, 2013. "Schumpeter, Commons, and Veblen on Institutions," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 72(5), pages 1232-1254, November.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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