1 / 29

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

pearly
Download Presentation

South Asia

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. South Asia Government & Economics

  2. After gaining independence many countries in South Asia chose different forms of governments • Republics, parliamentary, constitutional monarchies, etc….

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Bangladesh • 1971 – Independence from Pakistan • 1972 – Constitution adopted • Parliamentary Government • Prime Minister & President • Military has taken over the government several times

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

  8. 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 JigmeKhesarNamgyalWangchuck was officially crowned the king of Bhutan on November 06, 2008. He is one of the youngest monarchs in the world.

  9. 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.

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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.

  13. General Perez Musharaff • Coup d’etat. • Secular govt. against Islamic fundamentalists. • U.S. ally in the “War on Terror.”

  14. 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.

  15. Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa • 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

  16. Jawarlal Nehru • Ally of Gandhi. • 1st Prime Minister of India, 1947-1964. • Advocated Industrialization • Promoted “Green Revolution” • Mixed Economy

  17. 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.

  18. “Green Revolution” • Introducing higher-yielding varieties of seeds in 1965. • Increased use of fertilizers & irrigation. • GOAL make India self-sufficient in food grains.

  19. 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

  20. Indira Gandhi • Nehru’s daughter. • Prime Minister of India, 1966-1984. • Continues Nehru’s policies. • Faced corruption charges & internal rebellion. • Assassinated in 1984.

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. Sonia Gandhi remains Roman Catholic, butfollows Hindu and Indian traditions • With her children, she scattered Rajiv’s ashes in the Ganges

  24. 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.

  25. “The Jewel turns down the crown!” • When her party won in theelections, she was asked to be Prime Minister. • She decided not to accept

  26. 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.

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

  28. 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.

  29. 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.

More Related