Paradox Of Passion: Youth Politics In Pakistan

Writer: Nadeem Farooq Paracha

Pages: 194

Category: English

In his new book, Nadeem Farooq Paracha traces the global arc of youth mobilisation from its peak in the 1960s to its systematic dismantling under late-20th-century neoliberalism. Focusing particularly on Pakistan, this compelling study uncovers the underlying sociopolitical and economic mechanics of student politics.  
Why do student movements inevitably turn on their political creators? How do demographic turnovers, identity formation and the pursuit of ideological purity fuel internal purges and competitive radicalisation?  
Apart from studying historical 20th century retrospectives, Paracha also charts the evolution of youth power into the 21st century. From the ‘Gen Z rebellions’ that toppled entrenched regimes to the containment of populist revolts within polarised societies, this work dissects how contemporary economic anxieties have replaced abstract ideology.   
Paradox of Passion: Youth Politics in Pakistan is an essential read for political scientists, historians, and anyone seeking to understand the turbulent intersection of youth, power and statecraft.

About The Author:

Nadeem Farooq Paracha (also known as NFP) is a Pakistani author, columnist and social critic. Born in Karachi, Paracha graduated from Karachi Grammar School in 1983 and attended a state-owned college in Karachi, where he was an active Marxist student leader. Following his college years, he embarked on a career in journalism starting in 1990. Since 2005, he has been a regular columnist for Dawn, Pakistan's largest English-language daily newspaper. Paracha has authored multiple books focused on the social, political and cultural history of Pakistan. His notable works include End of the Past (2016), Points of Entry (2018), For Faith, State and the Soul (2022), Imran Khan: Myth of the Pakistani Middle-Class (2023), and Of Reason, Romance and Ruin (2024). In addition to his writing, Paracha has served as a Research Scholar and Reagan-Fascell Fellow at the International Forum for Democratic Studies in Washington, D.C., and as Head of Ideas & Research at Adcom Leo Burnett.