THE CRESCENT AND THE SWORD - ISLAM, THE MILITARY, AND POLITICAL LEGITIMACY IN PAKISTAN, 1977-1985

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that military regi mes are inherently unstable because they lack the essential political skills of persuasive communication, bargaining, mass appeal, and the d evelopment of new political strategies for survival and legitimacy. It is argued here that the military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq of Paki stan, through its skillful use of the normative symbols of Islam and n ationalism was able to achieve a considerable degree of political stab ility and legitimacy, and effectively meet political, sectarian and et hnic challenges.