Legislators And Representation In Sri Lanka


Book Description

Focusing on the work of Sri Lankan legislators, this book offers a model of representation in examining parliamentary systems, especially those found in the Third World. It explores an important part of legislators' responsibilities as the country seeks to decentralize its development planning.




Women in Parliament


Book Description

This updated edition of Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers Handbook covers the ground of women's access to the legislature in three steps: It looks into the obstacles women confront when entering Parliament be they political, socio-economic or ideological and psychological. It presents solutions to overcome these obstacles, such as changing electoral systems and introducing quotas, and it details strategies for women to influence politics once they are elected to parliament, an institution which is traditionally male dominated. The first Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers handbook was produced as part of IDEA's work on women and political participation in 1998. Since its release in English in 1998, there has been an ongoing interest and demand for the handbook, and responding to the request for the translation of the handbook, IDEA has produced Spanish, French and Indonesian language versions and a Russian overview of the handbook during 2002-2003. Since the first handbook was published, the picture regarding women's political participation has slowly changed. Overall the past decade has seen gradual progress with regard to women's presence in national parliaments. This second edition incorporates relevant global changes in the past years presenting new and updated case studies.--




Sri Lanka


Book Description




Government and Politics in South Asia


Book Description

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 seventh edition is extensively revised and updated, benefiting from the fresh perspective brought on by adding a new author to the team. New material includes discussions of political parties and leaders in India, the Zardari regime and changes to the Pakistani constitution, the rocky relationship between Pakistan and the Obama administration, new prospects and dangers facing Bangladesh, continuing political violence in Sri Lanka, and the troubles facing Nepal as it attempts to draft a new constitution. 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 statistical appendix provides a concise overview of leading demographic and economic indicators for each country, making Government and Politics in South Asia an invaluable addition to courses on the politics of South Asia




Government and Politics in South Asia


Book Description

This book describes the countries of South Asia, and examines the reason for their successes and failures. It addresses the interrelationships among the states in the region and their roles in the international system, and discusses the political development of the region.




Sri Lanka


Book Description




Sri Lanka


Book Description

This book provides an overview of the development of a small country, which on the one hand, is unique, and on the other hand, is also an interesting reflection and microcosm of the global economy. Sri Lanka's development is one of the contrasts, complicated by social conflicts and ethnic tensions. Social, political, economic and constitutional developments are considered. This is in accordance with the Sri Lankan tradition of seeing the world as a connected whole. The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) is an island in the Indian Ocean approximately 18 miles off the south-eastern coast of India with a population of about 19 million. Density is highest in the south-west where Colombo, the country's main port and industrial centre, is located. Sri Lanka is ethnically, linguistically, and religiously diverse. Sri Lanka follows a non-aligned foreign policy. It participates in multilateral diplomacy, particularly at the United Nations, where it seeks to promote sovereignty, independence, and development in the developing world.




Women's Political Participation and Representation in Asia


Book Description

The ability of a small elite of highly educated, upper-class Asian women to obtain the highest political positions in their country is unmatched elsewhere in the world and deserves study. But there is a marked lack of relevant research as well as of comprehensive and user-friendly texts. Aiming to fill the gap is this timely and important study of the various obstacles and opportunities for women's political participation and representation in Asia.




Government and Politics in South Asia, Student Economy Edition


Book Description

This book describes the countries of South Asia, and examines the reason for their successes and failures. It addresses the interrelationships among the states in the region and their roles in the international system, and discusses the political development of the region.




State of the World’s Minorities 2007


Book Description

In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which proclaimed that ‘all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights’. Sadly, for many minorities and indigenous peoples around the world, this inspirational text – with its emphasis on equality and non-discrimination – remains a dream, not a reality. Ethnic or sectarian tensions are evident in many parts of our globe. In places, they have boiled over into bitter violence. The Middle East situation continues to deteriorate – with some minority communities fearing for their very survival. In Africa, the crisis in Darfur is deepening as government-sponsored militia continues to carry out massive human rights abuses against traditional farming communities. In Europe, the spotlight has fallen on Muslim minorities – with rows flaring over the Danish cartoons and the wearing of the veil and burqa. Now more than ever, world leaders must insist that the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples be respected. The participation of minorities is essential if conflict is to be prevented and lasting peace is to be built. This second annual edition of the State of the World’s Minorities looks at the key developments over 2006 affecting the human rights and security of ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples. It includes: - a preface by the UN’s Independent Expert on Minority Issues - a unique statistical analysis of Peoples under Threat 2007 - a special focus on the participation of minorities, with analysis from leading academics on electoral representation and the European system - an eye-witness report from Sri Lanka on the impact on minorities of the resurgence of conflict - comprehensive, regional sections outlining the main areas of concern as well as any notable progress. The State of the World’s Minorities is an invaluable reference for policy-makers, academics, journalists and everyone who is interested in the conditions facing minorities and indigenous peoples around the world.