Parties and Political Change in South Asia

Book Details:

• Author: James Chiriyankandath

• Publisher: Routledge

• Edition: 1

• Binding: Hardcover

• Release Date: 20-11-2014

• ISBN: 9781138821569

• Language: English

• Pages: 196

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches

About The Book:

Over the past seven decades, political parties have become integral to the political landscape of South Asia, playing a crucial role in shaping both the governance and the evolution of the region. Despite their significance, they have often lacked sustained scholarly attention. This collection explores how major political parties in three key South Asian countries—India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—have both influenced and been influenced by the political changes in their respective states.

The book delves into the paradoxes of South Asian politics, covering topics like gender, religion, patronage, clientelism, political recruitment, and democratic regression. It discusses recurring themes such as the dominant role of personalities over institutionalisation and the absence of pluralism within political parties. These factors contribute to the vulnerability of political systems and parties to degeneration over time.

Published as a special issue of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, this book is a critical analysis of the political dynamics and challenges faced by political parties in South Asia. It is an invaluable resource for anyone studying the political systems of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, as well as those interested in broader political science issues.