India and Pakistan emerged at independence in 1947 with similar political systems: a British colonial state apparatus and elected assemblies as precursors to parliaments.  Since then, India has functioned democratically, while Pakistan has found itself under direct or indirect military rule for most of its existence.  Why did they take such different paths?  The factors are many, with religion not the most influential.  What’s more, Americans may be surprised to learn that Pakistan’s oft-renewed alliance with the U.S. has actually enhanced the power of the military vis-à-vis elected representatives.  In India, meanwhile, even under Indira Gandhi’s rather autocratic Emergency rule, politicians have always had the upper hand and democracy has progressively expanded its base. (more…)