Government and Politics in South Asia

by Baxter, Craig; Malik, Yogendra K.; Kennedy, Charles H.; Oberst, Robert C.

• ISBN13: 9780813334134
• ISBN10: 0813334136
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-09-17
• Publisher: Westview Pr

Summary

This text establishes a sound interdisciplinary context for understanding the political framework of the seven South Asian nations. Making use of the rich comparative possibilities afforded by the subcontinent, the authors consider examples of political development that range from the relatively open, democratic systems of India and Sri Lanka to the occasionally authoritarian governments of Pakistan and Bangladesh, as well as the changing traditional polities of Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives.All seven countries face the challenges of nation building, state building, political participation, and economic development; they also share a common political heritage of relations with Great Britain, a connection explored in the introductory chapter. India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are discussed in detail in chapters written by area specialists; Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives are grouped together in a brief overview. Concluding chapters survey the subcontinent as a whole, focusing on regional cooperation and conflict, international relations, and ongoing struggles with authoritarianism and democracy. Each chapter is supplemented with suggested readings.Reflecting new trends in studying comparative politics, the fourth edition has been completely revised according to the structural functional model. Each section treats four major areas of inquiry: political culture and political socialization, interest articulation and interest aggregation, governmental structures, and outputs and outcomes. As with previous editions, this text establishes a sound interdisciplinary context for understanding the political framework of the seven South Asian nations.Designed as a core text for courses on the region,Government and Politics in South Asiawill also be valuable for courses in political development and comparative politics.

Author Biography

Craig Baxter is professor emeritus of politics and history at Juanita College.Yogendra Malik is professor emeritus of political science at the University of Akron.Charles Kennedy is professor of political science at Wake Forest University.Robert Oberst is associate professor of political science at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Yogendra Malik is professor emeritus of political science at the University of Akron. Charles Kennedy is professor of political science at Wake Forest University. Robert Oberst is associate professor of political science at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Illustrations	ix	(2)
Preface to the Fourth Edition	xi
Introduction	1	(4)
1 The Governance of South Asia Under the British	5	(16)
PART 1 INDIA	21	(142)
2 Political Culture and Heritage	21	(34)
3 Political Institutions and Governmental Processes	55	(37)
4 Political Parties and Political Leaders	92	(30)
5 Groups and Multiple Demands on the System	122	(18)
6 Conflict Mediation	140	(11)
7 Modernization and Development: Prospects and Problems	151	(12)
PART 2 PAKISTAN	163	(70)
8 Political Culture and Heritage	163	(12)
9 Government Structure	175	(9)
10 Political Parties and Political Leaders	184	(18)
11 Conflict and Mediation	202	(11)
12 Policy Issues	213	(11)
13 Modernization and Development	224	(9)
PART 3 BANGLADESH	233	(70)
14 Political Culture and Heritage	233	(14)
15 Government Institutions	247	(12)
16 Elections, Parties, and Interest Groups	259	(22)
17 Conflicts and Resolution	281	(11)
18 Modernization and Development: Prospects and Problems	292	(11)
PART 4 SRILANKA	303	(64)
19 Political Culture and Heritage	303	(13)
20 Government Structure	316	(15)
21 Political Parties and Interest Groups	331	(15)
22 Conflict Mediation: Ethnic Conflict and War	346	(6)
23 The Search for Prosperity	352	(6)
24 Modernization and Development: Prospects and Problems	358	(9)
PART 5 SOUTH ASIA	367	(46)
25 Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives	367	(15)
26 South Asia as a Region and in the World System	382	(22)
27 Conclusion: Democracy and Authoritarianism in South Asia	404	(9)
Statistical Appendix	413	(2)
Index	415