This comprehensive but accessible text provides students with a systematic introduction to the comparative political study of the leading nations of South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. The sixth edition is extensively revised and updated, benefiting from the fresh perspectives of several new members of the author team. New material includes a full section devoted exclusively to Nepal. Organized in parallel fashion to facilitate cross-national comparison, the sections on each nation address several topical areas of inquiry: political culture and heritage, government structure and institutions, political parties and leaders, conflict and resolution, and modernization and development. A thoroughly rewritten final chapter on South Asia in the world system discusses the India–Pakistan conflict, the rise of militant Islam, India’s emergence as a world economic power, and democratization. A statistical appendix provides a concise overview of leading demographic and economic indicators for each country. Contents 1. Introduction Part One: India

2. Political Culture and Heritage

3. Political Institutions and Governmental Processes

4. Political Parties and Political Leaders

5. Groups and Multiple Demands on the System

6. Conflict Mediation

7. Modernization and Development Part Two: Pakistan

8. Political Culture and Heritage

9. Government Structure

10. Political Parties and Leaders

11. Conflict and Mediation

12. Policy Issues

13. Modernization and Development Part Three: Bangladesh

14. Political Culture and Heritage

15. Government Institutions

16. Elections, Parties, and Interest Groups

17. Conflicts and Resolution

18. Modernization and Development: Prospects and Problems Part Four: Sri Lanka

19. Political Culture and Heritage

20. Government Structure

21. Political Parties and Interest Groups

22. Conflict Mediation: Ethnic Conflict and War

23. The Search for Prosperity

24. Modernization and Development: Prospects and Problems Part Five: Nepal

25. Political Culture and Heritage

26. Government structure

27. Political Parties and Interest Groups

28. Conflict and Mediation

29. Modernization and Development Part Six: South Asia

30. South Asia as a Region in the World System