Oscar, I would add to this so-called "Establishment" exists in most countries that have significant security-centric policies/footprint. As you rightly say, it is comprised of not just the military, but also those who see things eye-to-eye sitting in the political, bureaucratic, industrial arenas among others and ensure continuity of the est. policies.
In many countries, instead of being called "Establishment", this entity is referred to as the "deep-state". This deep state exists and operates in the US, UK, India and countless other countries. Its job is to make sure that certain red-lines (that it deems to be inviolable) will not be crossed by anyone and continuity in the country's overall outlook remains.
Exactly - we assume that it is a Pakistani unique phenomenon because this is the context but it is well beyond that.
Pakistan’s ongoing challenges are not unique, but reflect worldwide struggles against self-interest and entrenched elite authority.
The difference lies in how robust systems are built to contain these tendencies. In Pakistan's case, an entrenched 'deep state' led by the military and intelligence services(from the context of having the “gun”) asserted dominant influence from very early on, restricting the development of independent institutions and filtering out attempts at meaningful reform.
This was compounded by low literacy rates and slow social growth, both of which prevented the emergence of a critical mass demanding a self-correcting, participatory system.
Most Pakistanis find themselves focused on securing daily necessities, leaving little room to organize or sustain pressure for genuine democracy or state effectiveness.
Thus, it is not just the existence of self-serving interests, but the persistent absence of effective systems and empowered citizenry, that explains why Pakistan’s state and democracy have repeatedly failed to take root.
Where the military-industrial complex in the US serves as another of the dominant arm of the “deep state” in America - the military serves as THE dominant arm of this deep state.
It is what it is - cannot shy from it.
Just as you cannot shy from why extremism flourishes in Pakistan or why people wont really do any of the true revolutionary movements you see in Nepal or BD or otherwise.
Unless this is recognized, no meaningful change will ever be effective because you are using the wrong medicine.
