Political Science

Contemporary South Asia

Question:

Despite the mixed record of democratic experience, the people of all the countries of South Asia share the aspiration of democracy.

Answer:

The various countries in South Asia have experienced mixed record of democracies and the people also share an aspiration for democracy to be flourished not only in rich or developed countries but in developing and underdeveloped countries also which can be drawn from the examples of Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives, because:
1. Every ordinary citizen, rich or poor and belonging to different religions view the idea of democracy positively and support the institutions of representative democracy.
2. They prefer democracy over any other form of democracy and think that democracy is suitable for their country.

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Contemporary South Asia

Q 1.

Explain the problems that India have with Pakistan.

Q 2.

Describe any two major issues of conflicts between India and Pakistan leading to the war of 1971.

Q 3.

What does SAFTA stand for?

Q 4.

Why did India and Nepal experience differences between themselves?

Q 5.

Whose mediation resolved the Indus River water dispute between India and Pakistan?  

Q 6.

Mention the names of member states of SAARC.

Q 7.

Highlight any two issues of cooperation as well as confrontation each between India and Bangladesh.
Or
Explain any two points of conflict between India and Bangladesh.

Q 8.

What are the major differences between SAARC and European Union as an alternative centres of poor?

Q 9.

How did LTTE emerge?

Q 10.

What is the full form of SAARC?

Q 11.

Mention some features of Indo-Bhutan relationship.

Q 12.

Mention two areas each of cooperation and disagreement between India and Bangladesh.

Q 13.

What do you mean by South Asia?

Q 14.

Why did India help Bangladesh to get independence and how?

Q 15.

Mention some points of agreement between India and Nepal.

Q 16.

Describe any four consequences of Bangladesh war of 1971.

Q 17.

Name the countries included in South Asia. How can peace and cooperation be enhanced in this region?

Q 18.

Mention any two objectives of SAARC.

Q 19.

What is Indus River Water Treaty? Mention its significance also.

Q 20.

What does SPA stand for?

Q 21.

What was the former name of Sri Lanka?

Q 22.

Mention some of the recent agreements between India and Pakistan. Can we be sure that the two countries are well in their way to a friendly relationship?

Q 23.

Mention changes that occurred in Maldives.

Q 24.

Identify the country:
(a) The struggle among pro-monarchy, pro-democracy groups and extremists created an atmosphere of political instability.
(b) A landlocked country with multi ¬party competition.
(c) The first country to liberalise the economy in the South Asian region.
(d) In the conflict between the military and pro-democracy groups, the military has prevailed over democracy.
(e) Centrally located and shares borders with most of the South Asian Countries.
(f) Earlier the island had the Sultans as the head of state. Now, it is a republic.
(g) Small savings and credit cooperatives in the rural areas have helped in reducing poverty.
( h ) A landlocked country with a monarchy.

Q 25.

Mention present status of Sri Lanka.

Q 26.

What is meant by Geo-politics?

Q 27.

How long did East and West Pakistan remain together?

Q 28.

Mention the features of SAFTA.

Q 29.

Assess the positive and negative aspects of India's relations with Bangladesh.

Q 30.

How are the external powers influencing bilateral relations in South Asia? Take any one example to illustrate your point.

Q 31.

List three challenges to democracy in Nepal.

Q 32.

India's neighbours often think that the Indian government tries to dominate and interfere in the domestic affairs of the smaller countries of the region. Is this a correct impression?

Q 33.

Name the principal players in the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. How do you assess the prospects of the resolution of this conflict?

Q 34.

Write a short note on the role and the limitations of SAARC as a forum for facilitating economic cooperation among the South Asian Countries.

Q 35.

How is the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) a major regional initiative by South Asian States to evolve co-operation through multilateral means? Assess.

Q 36.

What is meant by SAARC? How can peace and cooperation be enhanced through it?

Q 37.

Despite the mixed record of democratic experience, the people of all the countries of South Asia share the aspiration of democracy.

Q 38.

What does the MDP stand for?

Q 39.

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions:
Pakistan and Bangladesh have experienced both civilian and military rulers, with Bangladesh remaining democracy, in the Post Cold War period. Pakistan began the post cold war period with successive democratic governments under Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif respectively. But it suffered a military coup in 1999 and-has been run by a military regime since then. Till 2006, Nepal was a constitutional monarchy with the danger of the king taking over executive powers. In 2006, a successful uprising led to restoration of democracy and reduced the king to a nominal position, from the experience of Bangladesh and Nepal, we can say that democracy is becoming an accepted norm in the entire region of South Asia.

Questions
1. How did Pakistan begin with Post Cold War period?
2. Mention two reasons for the aspiration of democracy in South Asia.
3. Why these findings are significant?

Q 40.

"Democracy in South Asia has expanded the global imagination of democracy". Do you agree? Justify.

Q 41.

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions:
No region exists in a vacuum. It is influenced by outside powers and events, no matter how much it may try to insulate itself from non-regional powers. China and the United States remain key players in South Asian politics. Sino-Indian relations have improved significantly in the last ten years, but China's strategic partnership with Pakistan remains a major irritant. The demands of development and globalisation have brought the two Asian giants closer and their economic ties have multiplied rapidly since 1991.

Questions
1. Which two countries have been referred to as outside powers?
2. Which are the two Asian giants and why they have been called so?
3. China's strategic partnership with Pakistan is a major irritant for which country and why?

Q 42.

Mention some other conflicts in South Asia except with that of India.

Q 43.

On a political outline map of world locate and label the following and symbolise them as indicated:
ncert-solutions-for-class-12-political-science-contemporary-south-asia-3
Questions
1. A landlocked country with multi-party competition.
2. Centrally located and shares borders with most South Asian Countries.
3. Earlier the island had Sultan as head, now its a republic.
4. A landlocked country with a monarchy.
5. Country, where military has prevailed over democracy

Q 44.

How was democracy restored in Nepal over monarchy? Explain  

Q 45.

What was the reason for the formation of SAARC?

Q 46.

Who took the command over Pakistan after its first constitution was framed?

Q 47.

What are some of the commonalities and differences between Bangladesh and Pakistan in their democratic experiences?

Q 48.

"Military rule and democracy are the two sides of a coin in Pakistan". Examine the statement.

Q 49.

Like India why could democracy not take roots in Pakistan despite the fact that both the countries share a common part?
Or
Explain the factors responsible for Pak's failure in building a stable democracy.
Or
Describe any two pro-democracy factors present in Pakistan which can pave the way for establishing a lasting democratic setup over there?
Or
"Since 1947 Pakistan has been experimenting with democratic system and the military rule". In the light of above statement explain any two reasons why democratic system has not been stable there?

Q 50.

Explain India's changing relationship with Pakistan.