Transcript South Asia’s Governments

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
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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
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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 (R)
shakes hands with India's Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh.
Nepal’s President Ram Baran Yadav (C)
inspects a guard of honor during his
ceremonial reception.
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
President
Mahinda
Rajapaksa
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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
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 higheryielding 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
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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, but
follows 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.
“The Jewel turns down the crown!”
 When her party won in the
elections, she was asked
to be Prime Minister.
 She decided not to accept
Manmohan
Singh
May 2004  he held up a
letter from India's
president authorizing him to
form a new government as
prime minister.
He stood next to Sonia Gandhi,the candidate for the
post who stunned the country when she declined the
office.
May 2004
India Swears in 13th Prime Minister
and the first Sikh in the job.
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Major Problems & Issues
in India today
Overpopulation  1 billion & climbing.
Economic development.
Hindu-Muslim tensions.
Gender issues  dowry killings.
Caste bias  discrimination against untouchables
The Kashmir disputes.
Political assassinations.
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.