US Hegemony in World Politics | Class 12 Political Science Notes

WHAT IS SOUTH ASIA?

South Asia is a distinct geopolitical region comprising seven countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Geographically, it is bounded by the Himalayas to the north and by the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and Bay of Bengal to the south, west, and east respectively. This natural insularity has contributed to the linguistic, social, and cultural uniqueness of the subcontinent. The eastern and western boundaries of South Asia are less clearly defined, with Afghanistan and Myanmar sometimes included in broader discussions. China, despite its proximity and influence, is not considered part of South Asia in this context.

Politically, the countries in South Asia exhibit diverse systems. India and Sri Lanka have maintained democratic governance since independence, while Pakistan and Bangladesh have oscillated between civilian and military rule, with Bangladesh stabilizing as a democracy post-Cold War. Nepal transitioned from a constitutional monarchy to a democratic republic in 2008. Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy in 2008, embracing multi-party democracy, and the Maldives shifted from a Sultanate to a republic in 1968, adopting a multi-party system in 2005.

Despite varied political histories and challenges, democracy enjoys widespread popular support across the region. Surveys reveal that citizens across Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka prefer democracy over other forms of government, viewing it as suitable for their countries. This challenges earlier assumptions that democracy thrives only in prosperous nations. The region's political landscape is thus characterized by a complex interplay of historical legacies, cultural diversity, and evolving democratic aspirations.

📊 Diagram: Is there a fixed definition of these regions? Who decides that? (See figure_2)

🔗 Connection: This section sets the foundation for understanding the political diversity and democratic experiences in South Asia, leading to detailed discussions on democracy in individual countries.