This book presents a new theoretical model for mapping how populist leaders construct “the people”, using simultaneous processes of inclusion and exclusion. Applying this model to Pakistan's distinctive political landscape, the work analyzes the populist discourse of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Imran Khan, highlighting the key similarities and differences in their construct. The comparative analysis underlines how Pakistan’s political history, including the role of religion, the military, and ...

This book examines the critical intersection of religion, democracy, and political leadership in three prominent Muslim-majority states—Malaysia, Pakistan, and Turkey. It offers a comparative analysis of the political careers and strategies of Mahathir Mohamad, Nawaz Sharif, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, exploring how these leaders have strategically instrumentalised religion to shape their political narratives, mobilise public support, and consolidate power. By examining the adaptive use of r...

Based on semi-structured interviews with ordinary citizens in Pakistan, this book analyses the complex relationship between populism, political identity, and historical experiences in Pakistan, highlighting how populist discourse influences and is influenced by varied interpretations of Pakistaniat - the identification with Pakistan. It introduces a novel theoretical framework for analysing populism in the public sphere, using Laclau's view of populism as a discursive logic and Pa...