Government and Politics in South Asia

by Robert C Oberst, Yogendra K Malik, Charles Kennedy, Ashok Kapur, Mahendra Lawoti

Overview

This comprehensive but accessible text provides students with a systematic introduction to the comparative political study of the leading nations of South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The seventh edition is extensively revised and updated, benefiting from the fresh perspective brought on by adding a new author to the team. New material includes discussions of political parties and leaders in India, the Zardari regime and changes to the Pakistani constitution, the rocky relationship between Pakistan and the Obama administration, new prospects and dangers facing Bangladesh, continuing political violence in Sri Lanka, and the troubles facing Nepal as it attempts to draft a new constitution.Organized in parallel fashion to facilitate cross-national comparison, the sections on each nation address several topical areas of inquiry: political culture and heritage, government structure and institutions, political parties and leaders, conflict and resolution, and modernization and development. A statistical appendix provides a concise overview of leading demographic and economic indicators for each country, making Government and Politics in South Asia an invaluable addition to courses on the politics of South Asia.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367097875
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/13/2019
Edition description:	7th ed.
Pages:	543
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Robert C. Oberst is professor of political science at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Yogendra K. Malik is professor emeritus of political science at the University of Akron.

Charles H. Kennedy is professor of political science at Wake Forest University.

Ashok Kapur is distinguished professor emeritus of political science at the University of Waterloo.

Mahendra Lawoti is professor of political science at Western Michigan University.

Syedur Rahman is director of international sponsored programs at Northern Virginia Community College.

Ahrar Ahmad is professor of political science at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota.

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Illustrations Preface to the Seventh Edition 1 Introduction I INDIA 2 Political Culture and Heritage: A Changing Political Culture 3 State Institutions and Changing Political Dynamics 4 Shifting Perspectives About Political Parties and Political Leaders 5 Groups and Multiple Demands on the System 6 Conflict Management 7 Modernization and Development with Indian Characteristics II PAKISTAN 8 Political Culture and Heritage 9 Constitutional Structure 10 Political Parties and Political Leaders 11 Conflict and Mediation 12 Policy Issues 13 Problems and Prospects III BANGLADESH 14 Political Culture and Heritage 15 Government Institutions 16 Elections, Parties, and Interest Groups 17 Conflicts and Resolution 18 Modernization and Development: Prospects and Problems IV SRILANKA 19 Political Culture and Heritage 20 Government Structure 21 Political Parties and Interest Groups 22 Conflict Mediation: Ethnic and Political Conflict 23 The Search for Prosperity 24 Modernization and Development: Prospects and Problems V NEPAL 25 Political Heritage and Culture 26 Political Institutions and Governmental Processes 27 Political Parties, Elections, and Leaders 28 Class and Identity Conflicts 29 Modernization and Development: Problems and Prospects VI SOUTH ASIA 30 The Future: South Asia as a Region and a Player in the World System Statistical Appendix Index

Editorial Reviews

"In its seventh, updated edition, Government and Politics in South Asia continues to be an invaluable source for students and instructors engaged in the study of this dynamic region of the world. . . . The addition of new contributors provides fresh insight into the changes under way in South Asia."
—Choice

Praise for Prior Editions:

"Its comprehensive character and accessible narrative style account for its wide popularity. This is an excellent and timely book, and makes a significant contribution to debates on India's current and future economic development."
—Pacific Affairs

"Not only the best introductory handbook to the contemporary politics of this particular region but also better than most of its genre."
—Asian Affairs

"An excellent text … Provides an important service to instructors at the college level teaching such a broad and diverse topic as South Asian government and politics."
—Journal of Developing Societies

“A well-researched, concise introductory text that broadly examines the political development of the seven states of South Asia since the end of British rule … Among the very best introductory treatments of the region currently available.”
—History Review of New Books

From the Publisher