“Politics of Common Sense,” Book Discussion by Dr Aasim Sajjad Akhtar

Professor at the National Institute of Pakistan Studies, Dr Aasim Sajjad Akhtar was invited to the DSS Department to share his views on his latest book, “The Politics of Common Sense: State, Society and Culture in Pakistan.” The session was moderated by Ms. Sadia Tasleem, faculty DSS department. Dr. Aasim while discussing the subject talked about the transformational trends in the global politics, at present and a generation or so back, which have correspondingly affected how mindsets and cultures have changed. The post second world war generation of political radicals, who emerging out of the ashes of the great war, considered themselves as agents of social mobilization and populist change, by the decades of 1970s and 80s could no longer be identified. The new generation aligning itself with systemic changes, now believed in cynical transactions, and wisely applying their Common sense, band-wagoned with changing political trends, discourse and the narrative. Youth the ever perceived agents of change resorted to short cuts as part of this common sense with using short cuts and social linkages to aspire for end goals. He also discussed in detail the specifities of the Pakistani culture and the changing trends. The session ended with a very detailed and engaging interactive session.