10
Political Identities in South Asia
The present-day division of South Asia into national identities was mainly based on
religion. Suggest alternative divisions of British India into independent countries. Discuss
your reasons for these alternative national identities
Imperial China versus Imperial Europe
China’s imperial government survived up to the early 1900s, while the empires of Europe
were more regional groupings than a unified Europe under one government. Some ways
you can discuss this are:
· Disagree with the premise of this topic – China was not truly unified under one government most of its history.
· Disagree with the premise of this topic – how is “China” being defined?
· Compare the physical environments of China and Europe and use this as an explanation for the unity of China and the disunity of Europe.
Two Japans?
Are there “two Japans”? If so, what do you think they are?