UC Irvine Structure and Dynamics Title Ties That Bind:Marital Networks and Politics in Punjab, Pakistan Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5378v2fx Journal Structure and Dynamics, 9(2) Authors Lyon, Stephen M Mughal, Muhammad Aurang Zeb Publication Date 2016 DOI 10.5070/SD992032330 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ 4.0 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California TIES THAT BIND MARITAL NETWORKS AND POLITICS IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN Stephen M. Lyon Durham University Durham, UK
[email protected] Muhammad Aurang Zeb Mughal Durham University Durham, UK
[email protected] Pakistani politics are characterised by strong corporate social links through kinship and caste that impose reciprocal obligations and rights. Marital maps enable allow for accu- rate prediction of allegiances and decision making and contribute to a transparent assess- ment of political processes in the country. While much of the focus on reciprocal relations has understandably been on descent relations (dynasties), the complex network of marital alliances that cut across lineage and sectarian divides helps explain notable levels of sta- bility despite the fragility of the state and other public institutions. Using the example of one of the most successful political dynasties in post independence Pakistan, we show the extent of cross lineage, region and even party alliances that shape this political kinship network. Key Words: Politics, marriage, Pakistan Introduction Pakistan has borne the brunt of an increasingly hostile international media and political rhetoric from prominent politicians around the world that paint Pakistan as a duplicitous, unstable country teetering on the brink of collapse.