Regionalism Ethnicity And Left Politics

"Regionalism and provincialism in politics is not new in India. The problems of linguistic and cultural identity, ethnicity and autonomy demands have led to violent expressions like Dravidaland, Khalistan, Nagalim, Jharkhand, Gorkhaland, Kamtapur, and the like. Far from disrupting the democratic structure, the autonomy movements not only extend the base of democracy, but also develop language, script, improvise symbols of identity, leading to new awareness of community history. Framed in five chapters on Regional Dimensions, Politics of Provincialism, Politics of Ethnicity, Politics of Secular Mobilisation and Figments of Left Politics, this study intends to analyse different aspects of democratic politics and movements in India. In the appendices, clippings on movements and the issues of immigration, influx of Bangladeshis, identity, political murders, starvation deaths, facts and fictions of left politics have been included to make this anthology meaningful both to the liberal, leftist supporters and general readers."

This book models the trade-off that rulers of weak, ethnically-divided states face between coups and civil war. Drawing evidence from extensive field research in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo combined with statistical analysis of most African countries, it develops a framework to understand the causes of state failure.

This comprehensive guide to the Pacific and South Asia provides detailed and enlightening information about the many ethnic groups of this increasingly important region of the world. Ideally suited for high school and undergraduate students studying subjects such as anthropology, geography, and social studies, Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An Encyclopedia provides clear, detailed, and up-to-date information on each major group in South Asian and Pacific Island countries, including India, Nepal, Indonesia, Pakistan, Singapore, Australia, Tonga, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands. Organized alphabetically by ethnic group, each entry provides an introduction followed by accessible descriptions of the origins, early history, cultural life, political life, and modern history of the ethnicity. Alternate names, major population centers, primary languages and religions, and other important characteristics of each group are also covered. Beyond being a valuable resource for student research, this book will be enlightening and entertaining for general readers interested in South Asia and the Pacific.

Why, in the late 1960's, did ethnic minorities such as Scots and Welsh, Quebecois, Bretons and Basques unexpectedly begin to protest and assert their demands with fresh vigor, confidence, and even violence? What are the factors that help to explain the activation of these ethnic political movements, some of which now threaten the continued integrity of such long-established states as Canada and Great Britain? This book represents the first systematic attempt to deal with the re-emergence of ethnic conflict in Western societies. In addition to three historical and theoretical essays, there are eleven case studies of countries where ethnic nationalism has become politically significant. In a concluding chapter the editor comments on the theoretical and policy implications of the country studies.

This work is a comparative study of ethnic politics in Kenya in Nigeria, two countries on the African continent where ethnicity has played a major role in determining their destiny as much it has elsewhere only in varying degrees. This is similar to the author's other works on Rwanda and Burundi – including “Identity Politics and Ethnic Conflicts in Rwanda and Burundi: A Comparative Study” – where the same phenomenon has had tragic consequences for decades; both works appropriate in their own contexts yet of continental relevance. The work is also an examination of the Nigerian civil war whose tragic consequences included the secession of the Eastern Region which declared independence as the Republic of Biafra after tens of thousands of Easterners were massacred in Northern Nigeria in 1966.

This book tries to theorize the evolution of identity politics leading to separatist mentalities in India. Constructed ideas of identity have been posing a threat to humanity in the name of separatism. It is now one of the biggest threats to the Indian nation-building process. The Indian government has invested crores of rupees to secure the unity of India. In spite of that, many parts of India are now demanding separate statehood or sovereign nation-state. Demands vary according to the motif, mode and magnitude. But behind every demand for full or partial political autonomy, their remains some unequal treatment which occurs in the eco-socio-political sphere and separatist movements often take place. This Study revolves around two movements led by Rajbanshis and Gorkhas in the Northern part of West Bengal. In the tiny and strategically important North Bengal region, numerous movements are ongoing for getting separate statehood, some notables of which are 'Gorkhaland', 'Kamtapur', and 'Greater Cooch Bihar' movements. Why and how this area is facing this kind of activism is the main thrust of this study. With statistical data and historical references, the authenticity of the claim of 'marginalization' tried to validate. The question of Bengali hegemony and backwardness of North Bengal is also discussed elaborately. This book thus can be an ideal reference copy for the social scientists as well as administrative officials working in/on North Bengal/Northeast India/ ethno-regional separatist movements. This book covers the hundred-year history of movements of two important ethnic groups (Rajbanshis and Gorkhas) of India and touched three most crucial issues–viz. identity, marginality and separatism.

South Asia Strategic Research Center (GASAM) was founded in 2004 to provide accurate and objective information about the historical, political, economic, and sociocultural structures of the South Asian region, composed of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, as well as about strategic and geopolitical dynamics of the region. GASAM aims to inform the Turkish public about South Asian countries and, in return, inform the South Asian public about Türkiye. It also aims to procure mutual benefits for them in the historical, economic, academic, and sociocultural domains, and this way to contribute to regional and global peace. “South Asia Country Analyses” provides an overview of the region to improve the understanding of South Asian countries in Türkiye. This study aims to become a source of fundamental information about South Asia that will hopefully contribute to improving bilateral relations between Türkiye and the region’s countries. It also seeks to explore South Asia’s geographical,historical, political, and economic potential and raise general awareness regarding the significance of this region. he study is divided into two parts. The initial section is an introductory chapter discussing the general characteristics of South Asia. The second part provides separate analyses of eight South Asian countries. A different author wrote each chapter in this work. The book is prepared in two languages, Turkish and English, and the texts deliberately avoid complex academic jargon, offering analyses instead in a direct and succinct style. One of the most significant attributes of this book is that it is an objective and collective work. It is also a pioneering study in that there is no such study with this scope either in Türkiye or in the region’s countries. From this perspective, it is hoped that readers in Türkiye and South Asian countries will find this book, sponsored by GASAM, an invaluable compendium of fundamental information about South Asia. We would like to convey our gratitude to every person and institution who supported the realization of our project. We hope that this work will contribute to the social, political, scientific, cultural, and economic activities between Türkiye and South Asian countries. Cemal Demir GASAM President

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