JBS Vol 03. Num 2. 2001 - BANGLADESH BETWEEN PROMISE AND REALITY: CURRENT TENDENCIES AND THEORETICAL EXPLORATIONS

This paper will try to examine some of the political and economic developments in Bangladesh with particular
emphasis on relatively recent tendencies. It will argue that Bangladesh emerged with some political advantages at
its birth, and there were some fortuitous developments in the 1980s that indicated an optimistic future However, the
expectations were sadly betrayed This paper will analyze the tendencies towards political hyper-engagement, the
criminalization of politics, the corruption and violence, and the economic conditions that have not helped to alleviate
the structures of poverty and inequality in the country. The paper will end with a discussion of the major theoretical
perspectives, both universal and particularist, that have been suggested to explain why the reality of Bangladesh
cannot live up to its potentials for democracy and economic progress