Urbanization: A Tool in Bringing Social and Political Change in Pakistan

Abstract

Urbanization is an important phenomenon which is happening all over the world. Never ever before in history, there were such high levels of urban population. Pakistan is no exception, and it is the most urbanized country in South Asia.  Studies related to urbanization in Pakistan is limited to understanding demographic and population changes, rural-urban migration, and economic and environmental implications. This research paper will focus on the role of urbanization in bringing social change in Pakistan in the last few years. A descriptive and analytical approach is applied in contemplating the impact of urbanization on changing social structures, roles, values, and processes as well as on political culture, educated youth, social, ethnic and group conflict and prospects for national integration. The study of such impacts is essential because Pakistan has a huge young population, and it is witnessing high rates of population growth and urbanization which is important in setting the nation’s economic and political trajectory as well as changing the national social outlook in a few years.

Keywords: Urbanization; Social Change; Political Culture; Conflict; Integration.