South AsiaSouth Asia

Government Government &&

EconomicsEconomics

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

• Republics, parliamentary, constitutional monarchies, etc….

AfghanistanAfghanistan• 1964 constitution – Constitutional Monarchy1964 constitution – Constitutional Monarchy• 1973 – Monarchy collapses1973 – Monarchy collapses• 1979 – Soviet Union invaded – made them a 1979 – Soviet Union invaded – made them a

communist governmentcommunist government• 1989- UN agreement – Soviet troops 1989- UN agreement – Soviet troops

withdraw but leave a communist governmentwithdraw but leave a communist government• Communist government overturned – Communist government overturned –

becomes an Islamic republicbecomes an Islamic republic• Taliban (fundamentalist Muslims) take overTaliban (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 1965 – Independence gained from Great Britainfrom Great Britain

• 1968 – Became a republic1968 – Became a republic• Citizens Council – 48 members – Citizens Council – 48 members –

40 elected by the people and 8 40 elected by the people and 8 appointed by the presidentappointed by the president

• President appoints judges who President appoints judges who follow Islamic lawfollow Islamic law

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

Pakistan • 1958 – martial law declared1958 – martial law declared• Military took control until Military took control until

19881988• Today – republic with a prime Today – republic with a prime

minister and president – who minister and president – who both must be Muslimboth must be Muslim

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

chargescharges--Struggle between modernizers Struggle between modernizers and fundamentalists.and fundamentalists.

General Perez Musharaff

Coup d’etatCoup d’etat.. Secular govt. against Islamic Secular govt. against Islamic

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

MAJOR PROBLEMS AND ISSUES FACING PAKISTAN TODAY

Economic development – Richest Economic development – Richest country in South Asiacountry in South Asia

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

Ally of Gandhi.Ally of Gandhi. 11stst Prime Minister of Prime Minister of

India, India, 1947-1964.1947-1964.

Advocated Advocated IndustrializationIndustrialization

Promoted “Green Promoted “Green Revolution”Revolution”

Mixed EconomyMixed 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""Green Revolution" allowed farmers to triple their crop by using modern science & technology.

“Green Revolution”

Introducing higher-Introducing higher-yielding varieties of yielding varieties of seeds in 1965.seeds in 1965.

Increased use of Increased use of fertilizers & fertilizers & irrigation.irrigation.

GOALGOAL make India make India self-sufficient in food self-sufficient in food grains.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.Nehru’s daughter. Prime Minister of India, Prime Minister of India,

1966-1984.1966-1984. Continues Nehru’s Continues Nehru’s

policies.policies. Faced corruption Faced corruption

charges & internal charges & internal rebellion.rebellion.

Assassinated in 1984.Assassinated in 1984.

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

1984-1989.1984-1989. Some reform of Some reform of

economy and economy and government.government.

Also faced rebellion.Also faced rebellion. Assassinated in 1991 Assassinated in 1991

while campaigning.while campaigning.

Italian-born Sonia Maino married Rajiv in 1968.Italian-born Sonia Maino married Rajiv in 1968. She moved into the house of mother-in-law, She moved into the house of mother-in-law,

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. 1983 1983 Indian citizen.Indian citizen. 1984 1984 first lady when her husband, Rajiv first lady when her husband, Rajiv

Gandhi,succeeded his assassinated mother as Gandhi,succeeded his assassinated mother as P.M. P.M.

Sonia Gandhi Sonia Gandhi remains Roman remains Roman Catholic, butCatholic, butfollows Hindu and follows Hindu and Indian traditionsIndian traditions

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

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

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

““The Jewel turns down the The Jewel turns down the crown!”crown!”

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

Manmohan Manmohan SinghSingh

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

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