Political violence in cities isn't just about hate—it's often a calculated career move that the government actually rewards.
Common narratives blame Karachi's instability on 'senseless' ethnic tension or urban decay. This research reveals that violence is actually a structured outcome where political actors are systematically rewarded by the government for their coercive capacity, making violence the most logical way to gain power and autonomy.
The Landscape of Mohajir Politics of Urban Sindh
SSRN · 6195099
<div> I realized that Karachi’s political violence should not be understood solely as an outcome of ethnic polarization or urban poverty. Instead, it must be examined as a structured outcome of state preferences and political selection. When political actors are rewarded for coercive capacity and punished for democratic autonomy, violence becomes a rational and durable form of political engagement. The result is not merely instability, but the transformation of political life into a system of co