Spring 2006

GOV 347K • Government and Politics of South Asia

Course Description

This course first compares the post-independence political histories of South Asian countries, particularly India and Pakistan. It then explores selected topics across countries: social and cultural dimensions of politics; structures of power; and political behavior. The underlying theme is to explain the development and durability of the particular political regimes-democratic or authoritarian- in each country.

Grading Policy

There will be substantial reading with a great deal of choice; knowledge obtained from the reading will be tested in the mid-term (30% of the grade) and Part One of the final (Part Two will be essay questions) (30% and 40% of the grade).

Texts

There is one book to be purchased: Stephen P. Cohen, The Idea of Pakistan (Washington: The Brookings Institution, 2004). Almost all other assigned reading is articles and book chapters that have been put on electronic reserve.

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