Political Parties in South Asia: The Challenge of Change

Comparing the conditions, roles, and functions of political parties in five countries in South Asia—Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan—this report builds on empirical information collected from 49 political parties and addresses the challenges of politics as experienced by them. This analysis discusses different aspects of the party systems taking shape in the region and the legal provisions that regulate them, explores their internal management, and concludes with practical recommendations for reforms in the parties.