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 sixth edition is extensively revised and updated, benefiting from the fresh perspectives of several new members of the author team. New material includes a full section devoted exclusively to Nepal. 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 thoroughly rewritten final chapter on South Asia in the world system discusses the India–Pakistan conflict, the rise of militant Islam, India’s emergence as a world economic power, and democratization. A statistical appendix provides a concise overview of leading demographic and economic indicators for each country.

Contents

1. Introduction

Part One: India
2. Political Culture and Heritage
3. Political Institutions and Governmental Processes
4. Political Parties and Political Leaders
5. Groups and Multiple Demands on the System
6. Conflict Mediation
7. Modernization and Development

Part Two: Pakistan
8. Political Culture and Heritage
9. Government Structure
10. Political Parties and Leaders
11. Conflict and Mediation
12. Policy Issues
13. Modernization and Development

Part Three: 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

Part Four: Sri Lanka
19. Political Culture and Heritage
20. Government Structure
21. Political Parties and Interest Groups
22. Conflict Mediation: Ethnic Conflict and War
23. The Search for Prosperity
24. Modernization and Development: Prospects and Problems

Part Five: Nepal
25. Political Culture and Heritage
26. Government structure
27. Political Parties and Interest Groups
28. Conflict and Mediation
29. Modernization and Development

Part Six: South Asia
30. South Asia as a Region in the World System