Topic of Chapter 5: Contemporary South Asia (renamed to South Asia and the Contemporary World)
Focus countries: Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives
Overview of South Asia
Definition: Refers to the southern region of Asia, including a total of 7 countries:
India
Pakistan
Nepal
Bhutan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
Maldives
Geographical Context: Defined by its position in the southern part of Asia.
Political Systems in South Asia
Importance of understanding the differences in political systems and histories among the 7 countries.
The Military and Democracy in Pakistan
Historical Overview
Independence: Pakistan gained independence in 1947.
Key Leaders:
General Ayub Khan: First military leader, took over after framing the first constitution.
General Yahya Khan: Took power post-Bangladesh crisis in 1971.
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto: Elected leader after Yahya Khan, but his government was also challenged.
General Zia-ul-Haq: Military rule reestablished after Bhutto.
Benazir Bhutto: First elected female Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Nawaz Sharif: Prime Minister removed by another military takeover.
General Parvez Musharraf: Took power in 1999.
Factors Contributing to Democratic Failure in Pakistan
Social Dominance: Power held by specific groups (military, clergy, aristocracy).
Conflict with India: Prolonged tensions lead to military preference over democratic governance.
Lack of International Support: Western nations often support military regimes due to fears of terrorism.
Democracy in Bangladesh
Formation of Bangladesh
Separation: East Pakistan became Bangladesh in 1971 after prolonged struggles against West Pakistan's dominance.
Key Leader: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, leader of the Awami League, became the face of the freedom struggle.
Post-Independence Developments
Bangladesh formed a secular, democratic, and socialist constitution.
Political instability followed with military coups and the assassination of Rahman.
Zia-ur-Rahman and Lieutenant General H.M. Irshad took over during military rule.
Democratic Restoration: Multi-party system established in 1991.
Monarchy and Democracy in Nepal
Political Context: Nepal was a Hindu constitutional monarchy with strong military influence.
Pro-Democracy Movement: Protest led to a new constitution in 1990, but true democracy struggled to take root.
2006 Protests: Resulted in the restoration of the parliament.
Ethnic Conflict and Democracy in Sri Lanka
Conflict Background: Ethnic tensions between the Sinhala majority and Tamil minority.
LTTE: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, formed to fight for Tamil rights.
Indian Intervention: Initial peacekeeping, but led to further tensions.
Economic Growth: Despite conflicts, Sri Lanka demonstrated significant economic progress since independence.
Peace and Cooperation in South Asia
SAAK (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)
Established: 1985 with limited success due to political differences among member states.
South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA)
Signed: 2004, aimed to create a free trade zone, but faced skepticism regarding Indian influence.
India-Pakistan Relations
Initiatives for cooperation include confidence-building measures, social collaborations, and easing trade.
Outside Powers Influencing South Asia
China and USA: Their roles in Pakistan’s political landscape have significant implications.
Conclusion
Chapter covered the complexities of political systems in contemporary South Asia, highlighting the historical context, key figures, and ongoing challenges faced by these nations in their pursuit of democracy and stability.