SochBichar

SochBichar

By Nadeem HaqueScienceSocial SciencesGovernment
Download on the App Store

SochBichar episodes

  • Aid and Public Policy (English)
    A conversation with Raza Rumi on a course on 'Public Policy and Aid' that he is teaching at Cornell Institutie of Public Adminsitraiton.  
    Raza is well known Pakistani scholar that we have met in an earlier podcast. 
    Those interested in Public Policy will find very useful ideas for thought and research here.
    24 min
  • Regional Connectivity (ENGLISH)
    Pakistan since its inception has been dependent on aid and aid-financed policy advisers. Lacking indigenous thinking, policy has always felt insecure and looked to easy solutions based on greater dependency on external agents.
    Following such advice policymakers have felt inadequate to tackle domestic policy issues. Donors in recent years have pushed the agenda of regional integration as vital to economic development.
    The initiation of CPEC is vital to the opening out of Pakistan to Central Asia and eventually to Pakistan playing a vital role in Asian trade and connectivity. CPEC is also playing a vital role in providing much needed energy and road infrastructure.
    We discuss regional connectivity with Haroon Sharif who has managed regional policy issues as a senior adviser in the World Bank and DFID. He has also had experience in several Pakistani policy positions and is now serving as an advisor to the National Defense University.
    While all economists agree on opening out the economy and the need to develop trade in your neighborhood and beyond, it is not quite clear whether an uncompetitive economy beset with poor governance and high cost of doing business will be able to take advantage only of regional policies. 
    Haroon sheds light on issues related to regional connectivity and how we can benefit from CPEC.
    Listen to this and let us reinvigorate research and debate into change. 
    Listen to this fascinating discussion. There is much to learn and research here. 
    You can also look at my book “Looking Back: How Pakistan Became an Asian Tiger in 2050” now available in hard copy in Pakistan here http://www.libertybooks.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=Nadeem%20ul%20haque&category_id=0Soft copy here. https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Back-Pakistan-Became-Asian-ebook/dp/B06X94135J/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1488133596&sr=1-1&keywords=nadeem+haque
    Listen and learn and write some papers on this subject.  Don’t forget to cite Soch Bichar
    Please subscribe to Soch Bichar if you like it. Tell you friends about it. That is the only way to grow a public discussion. And we need a wider conversation on these important subjects.
    42 min
  • Thoughts on Development (English)
    Khalil Hamdani has had extensive experience in development policy having served in PIDE, and several UN agencies for 30+ years. In particular he led the effort to develop FDI policies in several developing countries. 
    Here we discuss his ideas on development, FDI, role of economists and policies for development and their limits. 
    Several important ideas are discussed including approaches to research and thought.
    Listen to this and let us reinvigorate research and debate into change. 
    Listen to this fascinating discussion. There is much to learn and research here. 
    You can also look at my book “Looking Back: How Pakistan Became an Asian Tiger in 2050” now available in hard copy in Pakistan here http://www.libertybooks.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=Nadeem%20ul%20haque&category_id=0Soft copy here. https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Back-Pakistan-Became-Asian-ebook/dp/B06X94135J/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1488133596&sr=1-1&keywords=nadeem+haque
    Listen and learn and write some papers on this subject.  Don’t forget to cite Soch Bichar
    Please subscribe to Soch Bichar if you like it. Tell you friends about it. That is the only way to grow a public discussion. And we need a wider conversation on these important subjects.
    41 min
  • The roots of political disorder in Pakistan (URDU)
    Zaigham Khan is a well-known Pakistani anthropologist who has been analyzing recent events very provocatively in several columns in newspapers. 
    In this episode, he takes a ‘deep dive’ into Pakistan’s continuing struggle to find stable system of governance. While the current political impasse in which the judiciary, politicians and the establishment are all seeking supremacy is under considerable discussion on a daily basis in the media, there is little understanding of the deeper causes of the country’s political impasse.
    Here we examine this continuing crisis from several points of view—historically, sociologically, economically and of politically.
    The discussion is very interesting and informative especially who want to move beyond the mundane debate of the media pundits and the vacuous politicians.
    If you want to learn and especially if you want to conduct some research in this area, you must listen to this podcast.
    Listen to this and let us reinvigorate research and debate into change. 
    Listen to this fascinating discussion. There is much to learn and research here. 
    You can also look at my book “Looking Back: How Pakistan Became an Asian Tiger in 2050” now available in hard copy in Pakistan here http://www.libertybooks.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=Nadeem%20ul%20haque&category_id=0Soft copy here. https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Back-Pakistan-Became-Asian-ebook/dp/B06X94135J/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1488133596&sr=1-1&keywords=nadeem+haque
    Listen and learn and write some papers on this subject.  Don’t forget to cite Soch Bichar
    Please subscribe to Soch Bichar if you like it. Tell you friends about it. That is the only way to grow a public discussion. And we need a wider conversation on these important subjects.
    1 hr 1 min
  • The New Wealth of Nations (ENGLISH)
    What is the wealth of nations? How can we measure it? What is the impact of education on wealth? Will the spread of education increase or decrease inequality of incomes?
    These profound questions affect all peoples and countries and are frequently discussed at many levels by the media, political leaderships, writers, thinkers and of course economists. 
    Adam Smith initiated the subject of economics with his book An Inquiry into the Wealth of Nations. Since then much serious economic research has focused on how people and nations can achieve wealth and welfare equitably.
    Surjit Bhalla is one of the finest economists from India who has frequently contributed to economic research and debate has now put out a new book, The New Wealth of nations.
    Surjit has contributed in a very significant manner to the literature in economics. He he has also written 2 books on cricket and also has been one of the leading forecasters and analysts of Indian elections. 
    Surjit’s new book is provocative and creative, shedding light on issues of country and global prosperity and equity. As always, he does very fine quantitative work providing solid evidence for his arguments.
    Listen to this very interesting podcast. It will certainly provoke you into thinking and investigating his ideas further.
    Listen to this and let us reinvigorate research and debate into change. 
    Listen to this fascinating discussion. There is much to learn and research here. 
    You can also look at my book “Looking Back: How Pakistan Became an Asian Tiger in 2050” now available in hard copy in Pakistan here http://www.libertybooks.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=Nadeem%20ul%20haque&category_id=0Soft copy here. https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Back-Pakistan-Became-Asian-ebook/dp/B06X94135J/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1488133596&sr=1-1&keywords=nadeem+haque
    Listen and learn and write some papers on this subject.  Don’t forget to cite Soch Bichar
    Please subscribe to Soch Bichar if you like it. Tell you friends about it. That is the only way to grow a public discussion. And we need a wider conversation on these important subjects.
    1 hr 19 min
  • "Let the system Run" or "do we need reform" (URDU)
    It is frequently argued that no matter how bad our democracy is all we need is to let the system run and it will automatically produce the finest democracy ever. We can go through many dynasties and we will achieve democracy.
    Here Saeed Afridi a former oil and gas professional now a PhD candidate in politics argues to the contrary.
    We discuss why research and debate on possible reform is so lacking in Pakistan.
    We also take up on how change is always sled by ideas and a debate among thinkers on change ideas.
    We discuss how change happens and why it is important to constantly think change.
    We discuss how merely running a faulty car with punctured tires will not fix itself without some tinkering and fixing.  
    Listen to this and let us reinvigorate research and debate into change. 
    Listen to this fascinating discussion. There is much to learn and research here. 
    You can also look at my book “Looking Back: How Pakistan Became an Asian Tiger in 2050” now available in hard copy in Pakistan. Soft copy here. https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Back-Pakistan-Became-Asian-ebook/dp/B06X94135J/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1488133596&sr=1-1&keywords=nadeem+haque
    Listen and learn and write some papers on this subject.  Don’t forget to cite Soch Bichar
    Please subscribe to Soch Bichar if you like it. Tell you friends about it. That is the only way to grow a public discussion. And we need a wider conversation on these important subjects.
    1 hr
  • To get democracy, fix the constitution (URDU)
    In collaboration with "Hafte Ki Seedhi Baat," "Soch Bichar" addresses the constitutional issue again today. 
    Today the Supreme Court has ruled to disqualify PM Nawaz Sharif. 
    This is not a day to celebrate but a day to reflect.
    We must reflect on why we not been able to achieve democracy.
    We must reflect on why our democratic government overstep their bounds all the time.
    We must reflect on our dynastic parliament.
    We must reflect on the continuing erosion of our institutions.
    Adnan Rasool a PHD candidate in Georgia has launched a podcast Hafte Ki seedhi Baat but more importantly is researching on constitutional issues.
    We had a fascinating discussion on why it is the poor constitutional design that is leading to a poor-quality democracy. Several themes for reform were discussed.
    We hope that there will be a wide-ranging discussion on these issues and a policy community on constitutional reform developed. That is the only way forward. People must push for reform by discussing such ideas and pushing for change. Don’t leave it to politicians who are benefitting from the system to change the system.
    You can also look at my book “Looking Back: How Pakistan Became an Asian Tiger in 2050” now available in hard copy in Pakistan. Soft copy here. https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Back-Pakistan-Became-Asian-ebook/dp/B06X94135J/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1488133596&sr=1-1&keywords=nadeem+haque
    Listen and learn and write some papers on this subject.  Don’t forget to cite Soch Bichar
    Please subscribe to Soch Bichar if you like it. Tell you friends about it. That is the only way to grow a public discussion. And we need a wider conversation on these important subjects.
    56 min
  • “Let the system Run” or “do we need reform” (URDU)

    It is frequently argued that no matter how bad our democracy is all we need is to let the system run and it will automatically produce the finest democracy ever. We can go through many dynasties and we will achieve democracy.


    Here Saeed Afridi a former oil and gas professional now a PhD candidate in politics argues to the contrary.


    • We discuss why research and debate on possible reform is so lacking in Pakistan.

  • We also take up on how change is always sled by ideas and a debate among thinkers on change ideas.

  • We discuss how change happens and why it is important to constantly think change.

  • We discuss how merely running a faulty car with punctured tires will not fix itself without some tinkering and fixing.  

    • Listen to this and let us reinvigorate research and debate into change. 


    Listen to this fascinating discussion. There is much to learn and research here. 


    You can also look at my book “Looking Back: How Pakistan Became an Asian Tiger in 2050” now available in hard copy in Pakistan. Soft copy here. https://www.amazon.com/Looking-Back-Pakistan-Became-Asian-ebook/dp/B06X94135J/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1488133596&sr=1-1&keywords=nadeem+haque


    Listen and learn and write some papers on this subject.  Don’t forget to cite Soch Bichar


    Please subscribe to Soch Bichar if you like it. Tell you friends about it. That is the only way to grow a public discussion. And we need a wider conversation on these important subjects.

    1 hr
  • RENTIER CAPITALISM (ENGLISH)
    This is an important podcast for those interested in the political economy of development.
    Shahid Ahmed is a Pakistani economist with long experience of the UN and international financial markets. He has written a book provocatively titled Rentier Capitalism: Disorganized development and Social Injustice in Pakistan.
    We discuss his book where he examines why Pakistan developed differently from the rest of Asia. Several themes are examined and the conversation evolves very nicely to interesting themes on the political economy of Pakistan, trends in development thinking and the state of policymaking and governance. We come to interesting conclusion that might echo with some of you.
    In any case there are several interesting themes for research and thought that are developed in the conversation. 
    Shahid also has an interesting book recommendation at the end. So please watch for it.
    Stay Curious!
    Listen to this fascinating discussion. There is much to learn and research here. 
    You can also look at my book “Looking Back: How Pakistan Became an Asian Tiger in 2050” now available in hard copy in Pakistan. Soft copy here. 
    http://www.libertybooks.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=Nadeem%20ul%20haque&category_id=0
    Listen and learn and write some papers on this subject.  Don’t forget to cite Soch Bichar
    Please subscribe to Soch Bichar if you like it. Tell you friends about it. That is the only way to grow a public discussion. And we need a wider conversation on these important subjects
    49 min
  • Thinking like an Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship Incubation and Ecosystem (ENGLISH and some URDU)
    As we have discussed in many episodes, Entrepreneurship and innovation is an important source of growth in an economy. Entrepreneurship was also central to the Framework of Economic Growth of the Planning Commission that was approved by the government in 2011 and 2012. Sadly, like most good policies it was neither read nor implemented. Entrepreneurship also plays a central role in my book ‘Looking Back.”
    A study on entrepreneurships in Pakistan is available here. 
    http://www.pide.org.pk/pdf/Working%20Paper/WorkingPaper-29.pdf
    While in previous episodes we have discussed entrepreneurship with economists and thinker who have studied the subject, in this episode, we will discuss the subject with 2 entrepreneurs who are entrepreneurs. But now they have become entrepreneurship evangelists which involves incubating entrepreneurship and creating an entrepreneurship ecosystem.   
    Faisal Sherjan has been a founding spirit of Geo and venture capital funds in UK and is now managing the LUMS incubator for entrepreneurship while he is also investing in a number of startups. 
    Kurram Zafar has set up successful startups in Silicon Valley and  has been involved in many ventures in Pakistan. He set up the Plan 9 incubator and the LUMS incubator and has now developed the first venture capital fund for Pakistan.
    Listen to these to entrepreneurs talk about the entrepreneurship,
    How to think like an entrepreneur;
    How you can find opportunities;
    How to do a startup;
    What and incubator is and how it can help you;
    What is an entrepreneurial ecosystem is and why it is necessary;
    What is needed in policy to support entrepreneurship.
     Listen and learn and as always comment, discusses and debate. 
    Stay Curious!
    Listen to this fascinating discussion. There is much to learn and research here. 
    You can also look at my book “Looking Back: How Pakistan Became an Asian Tiger in 2050” now available in hard copy in Pakistan. Soft copy here. 
    http://www.libertybooks.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=Nadeem%20ul%20haque&category_id=0
    Listen and learn and write some papers on this subject.  Don’t forget to cite Soch Bichar
    Please subscribe to Soch Bichar if you like it. Tell you friends about it. That is the only way to grow a public discussion. And we need a wider conversation on these important subjects.
    1 hr 14 min

About SochBichar

From the publisher's feed

Conversations on issues of development policy in Pakistan and the rest of South Asia. Political economy subjects that are seldom featured in the media will be taken up.