The origins of association in South Asia: SAARC, 1979-1989
Bajpai, Kanti Prasad
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/19927
Description
Title
The origins of association in South Asia: SAARC, 1979-1989
Author(s)
Bajpai, Kanti Prasad
Issue Date
1990
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Cohen, Stephen P.
Department of Study
Political Science
Discipline
Political Science
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
History, Asia, Australia and Oceania
Political Science, General
Political Science, International Law and Relations
Language
eng
Abstract
"This dissertation asks: why, since 1979, have the seven South Asian states decided to come together in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)? Why, in other words, did a region marked by unrivalled differences in size, capabilities, and political systems as well as past and present conflict come to associate? A general explanation of regional association is formulated on the basis of answers to two questions: why do states associate; and what is a region? States associate, it is argued, for three ""reasons"": because others do; out of affinity for other states; and to better protect or advance cherished values, pre-eminently, status, welfare, and security. A region, it is argued, features the following characteristics: cultural affinity; interdependence, especially ""ecological"" and specifically in respect of water resources (rivers, seas, oceans); a skewed distribution of power such that a region typically consists of a ""core"" or ""predominant"" power and a host of secondary powers; inferiority of status where status rests on the reputation for autonomy and independence in international affairs; and the site of the most important conflicts facing its constituents. Thus, if association is emulative, then regional association has been a popular level of association; if association is by affinity, then a region maximizes affinity; if association arises from threats and opportunities to status, welfare and security, then given feelings of status inferiority, ecological interdependence, the skewedness of power and the rifeness of conflict, regions are where threats and opportunities are most salient."
"In the case of SAARC--notwithstanding the official rhetoric about ""developmental"" concerns as well as our findings relating to the desire to emulate other regions, the quest for status and recognition of affinity, the existence of interdependencies in river water management and exploitation--the primary motive for association is security: SAARC is seen as (i) a means of mutual ""containment"" wherein the small states wish to contain India's power and India wishes to contain the small states' links to extra-regional powers and (ii) an arena for intra-regional conflict resolution."
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
