Challenge in south Asia: development, democracy and regional cooperation

Of late, the countries comprising South Asia have begun to face a critic crisis of development simultaneously regional cooperation in South Asia. These twin crises have emerged from the fact that South Asian societies, incorporated after World War II into a global system over which they had little control, have not made a meaningful transition in conventional terms either to capitalism or to socialism, nor have they been able to integrate their dualistic economies, Eradicate the worst forms of poverty or establish a stable cultural identity. There is now a heightened sense of alienation, a waste of resources and a failure to effectively deploy the available knowledge system rooted in the culture of the people for sustainable development. These contradictions are progressively leading to political and social unrest, violence, growing militarization of state structures, and external dependence. All this could result not so much in revolutionary changes as complete social collapse.

For too long, South Asian scholars have been wedded to conventional frameworks of thought and action. This has hindered their capacity to understand the steady slide of these societies into anarchy and destabilization, despite the rhetoric of development, democracy and international cooperation.

The significance of this book lies in the fact that it embodies the thinking of those South Asian scholars who are attempting to break out of conventional paradigms It endeavors to go beyond single discipline analysis, narrow quantification and a priori theorizing. and transcends conventional neoclassical and Marxist thinking The contributors attempt to articulate those alternatives which are not just available but are sustainable in the present South Asian context. The book will, it is hoped, reinforce this fragile search for alternative pathways to development and viable regional cooperation in South Asia. More importantly, it is expected un catalyze the next generation of scholars in conduct further action research and reflection through new networks, institutions and an innovative interdisciplinary research agenda.

An indispensable book for students and scholars of economics, politics and international relations, as well as for policy makers and those interested in the prospects for South South and regional cooperation.