South Asia

South Asia

Government &

Economics

• After gaining independence many countries in South Asia chose different forms of governments

• Republics, parliamentary, constitutional monarchies, etc….

Afghanistan• 1964 constitution – Constitutional Monarchy• 1973 – Monarchy collapses• 1979 – Soviet Union invaded – made them a

communist government• 1989- UN agreement – Soviet troops

withdraw but leave a communist government

• Communist government overturned – becomes an Islamic republic

• Taliban (fundamentalist Muslims) take over

Under the Taliban

• Women cannot go to school or hold jobs• Women cannot go into public without a male relative• Punishment for breaking rules is severe• They have been at war with Muslim groups for years.• 2001- accused of helping terrorists responsible for

9/11

Afghanistan Economically• One of the poorest countries in the world• Ruined by Soviet invasion• Only 12% arable land and only ½ of that

is cultivated each year

Bangladesh

• 1971 – Independence from Pakistan

• 1972 – Constitution adopted

• Parliamentary Government

• Prime Minister & President

• Military has taken over the government several times

Bangladesh Economically• Agriculture• 3/5’s are farmers• Cash crops – Rice, jute, and tea• Monsoons are an issue• Almost no mineral resources

Bhutan• 300 years – ruled by spiritual leader AND political

leader• Since 1907 – only had king• 1953 – formed an assembly that meets twice a year to

pass laws• 1968 – Council of Ministers created – they advise the

king

Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck was officially crowned the king of Bhutan on November 06, 2008. He is one of the youngest monarchs in the world.

Nepal• Was a monarchy for years• 1962 – Constitutional

Monarchy• All political parties banned• 1990s – King allowed

political parties• This brought about

changes - new constitution and parliamentary system

Nepal’s President Ram Baran Yadav (C) inspects a guard of honor during his ceremonial reception.

Nepal's President Ram Baran Yadav (R) shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Bhutan and Nepal - Economics

• Similar• Until 1950s/60s – isolated from the rest

of the world• No highways or cars.• Bhutan did not have currency – still

used barter system• Working on modernizing their

economies

Maldives

• 1965 – Independence gained from Great Britain

• 1968 – Became a republic• Citizens Council – 48 members –

40 elected by the people and 8 appointed by the president

• President appoints judges who follow Islamic law

• Most money comes from tourism• Almost all food is imported

Pakistan • 1958 – martial law declared• Military took control until

1988• Today – republic with a prime

minister and president – who both must be Muslim

• Benazir Bhutto – 1st Woman Prime Minister, 1988-ousted in 1993 on corruption

charges-Struggle between modernizers and fundamentalists.

General Perez Musharaff

Coup d’etat. Secular govt. against Islamic

fundamentalists. U.S. ally in the “War on Terror.”

MAJOR PROBLEMS AND ISSUES FACING PAKISTAN TODAY

Economic development – Richest country in South Asia

Political instability/military dictatorship. Hindu-Muslim tensions. Gender issues honor killings. Terrorism. The Kashmir dispute and nuclear weapons.

Sri Lanka

• 1948 – Independence from Great Britain• Democracy• President• 2 political parties• Most similar to the US• Economy depends on agriculture and tourism• Have many mineral resources but have not benefitted

from them yet

President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Jawarlal Nehru

Ally of Gandhi. 1st Prime Minister of

India, 1947-1964.

Advocated Industrialization

Promoted “Green Revolution”

Mixed Economy

India’s Mixed Economy The “mix” refers to private and public ownership.

Information Technology is largest growing industry – since 1991 software exports have been doubling every year. Urban areas have high-tech companies.

Three quarters of the population are farmers living in small villages. Rice & Wheat most important crops India's "Green Revolution" allowed farmers to triple their crop by using modern science & technology.

“Green Revolution”

Introducing higher-yielding varieties of seeds in 1965.

Increased use of fertilizers & irrigation.

GOAL make India self-sufficient in food grains.

India World’s largest democracy

• 1999 – 370 million people voted• Head of state = president• Prime minister – actually runs

government• 1950 – constitution went into effect• Constitution gave ‘dalits’

(untouchables) more political power• Women granted the right to vote• 1966 – Indira Gandhi became India’s

first female prime minister

Indira Gandhi Nehru’s daughter. Prime Minister of India,

1966-1984. Continues Nehru’s

policies. Faced corruption

charges & internal rebellion.

Assassinated in 1984.

Rajiv Gandhi Indira’s son. Prime Minister of India,

1984-1989. Some reform of

economy and government.

Also faced rebellion. Assassinated in 1991

while campaigning.

Italian-born Sonia Maino married Rajiv in 1968.

She moved into the house of mother-in-law, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

1983 Indian citizen. 1984 first lady when her husband, Rajiv

Gandhi,succeeded his assassinated mother as P.M.

Sonia Gandhi remains Roman Catholic, butfollows Hindu and Indian traditions

With her children, she scattered Rajiv’s ashes in the Ganges

After Rajiv's death Sonia shied away from the spotlight. In 1998, she agreed to start her own career as a “Gandhi” again and became an important political leader.

When her party won in the elections, she was asked to be Prime Minister. She decided not to accept

“The Jewel turns down the crown!”

He stood next to Sonia Gandhi,the candidate for the post who stunned the country when she declined the office.

Manmohan Singh

May 2004 he held up a letter from India's president authorizing him to form a new government as prime minister.

May 2004 India Swears in 13th Prime Minister and the first Sikh in the job.

Overpopulation 1 billion & climbing. Economic development. Hindu-Muslim tensions. Gender issues dowry killings. Caste bias discrimination against untouchables

The Kashmir disputes. Political assassinations.

Major Problems & Issues in India today

Kashmir Dispute• India/Pakistan split – both nations claimed region

of Kashmir• Important region because of water resources• Conflict over whether it should be part of India or

Pakistan or become independent• To add to this problem – both nations tested

nuclear weapons and then refused to sign a nuclear test-ban treaty.