If we study the rise and fall of dictatorships around the world, there is one common pattern: excessive power is normally a one-way ticket to oblivion; a political party can sometimes 'enjoy' excessive power for a long time given a particular set of situation. But such a situation can be terribly deceptive and lead the power-hungry politicians to a dead-end, even worse, over the precipice.
ক্যাটাগরি গণতন্ত্র
Arab Spring and Middle East Democratisation: Issues and Challenges
Since the end of the Second World War, the Middle East has often found itself at the focal point of discussions on global governance, peace, stability and security. The reasons for this are manifold. On one hand, the Middle East constituted a major source for global energy needs, which made access to the region's natural… Continue reading Arab Spring and Middle East Democratisation: Issues and Challenges
The Real Politics of Bangladesh: The Inside Story of Local Power Brokers
The book, combining survey research and case study methods, empirically examines the role of 'mastaans' and corruption in Bangladesh politics. Read the book HERE Rose, J., Hasan, M., & Zakaria, S.M. (2015). The Real Politics of Bangladesh: The Inside Story of Local Power Brokers. Dhaka: Embassy of Switzerland
Politicians in Parliament
This empirical study sets out to understand and evaluate the outcomes that democratic politics has delivered since the post-1990 democratic period in Bangladesh. The paper examines various characteristics of democratic leaders from main political parties and explores whether the leadership type has any significant relationship to parliamentary performance/democratic practices in parliament. The study found a… Continue reading Politicians in Parliament
Partyarchy and Political Underdevelopment in Bangladesh
This article empirically diagnoses how political parties’ capture of different key state and non-state institutions severely impedes their ability to contribute to the democratic delivery and political development of Bangladesh. Read full paper HERE Hasan, M., Islam, S., & Zakaria, S.M. (2013). Partyarchy and Political Underdevelopment in Bangladesh. In IGS (ed.), The State of Governance in Bangladesh 2013:… Continue reading Partyarchy and Political Underdevelopment in Bangladesh
Concentration of Political Power: Empirical Insights from Bangladesh
This paper empirically investigates whether inequality in the distribution of political power shape resource distribution in Bangladesh. Undertaking descriptive analyses of the relationship between development expenditure and the concentration of political power in Bangladesh, the study suggests that the relationship exists. Read full paper HERE Rahman, A., & Zakaria, S.M. (2013). Concentration of Political Power: Empirical Insights… Continue reading Concentration of Political Power: Empirical Insights from Bangladesh
Egypt: Where political wisdom is a far cry
Muslim Brotherhood completely ignored the fact that they were bestowed power in a society that is vertically divided. The tensions between liberals and Islamists in Egyptian society surrounding identity issues are significant. Mohammad Morsi also overestimated his stretch of power and the sources of his strength, and disregarded the dangers lurking ahead.
Democratic Consolidation in Bangladesh: A Reality Check
The paper examines Bangladesh's democratic performances on key democratic consolidation indicators based on a framework of democratic consolidation theories. Using various data sources and employing descriptive analyses, the paper evaluates the performances of both state and non-state institutions critical to democratic consolidation. Read the full paper HERE Zakaria, S.M. (2013). Democratic Consolidation in Bangladesh: A Reality Check.… Continue reading Democratic Consolidation in Bangladesh: A Reality Check
Post-Arab Spring Middle East: Democratisation and geopolitical challenges
Post-conflict societies are always difficult, challenging, and fraught with perils and uncertainties. Apart from immense social and political challenges, these societies are often vulnerable to economic hardships; ethnic, tribal and inter-faith tensions; and face the ever great task of institutional building process. However, very few societies or countries successfully weathered through these difficult challenges. Social… Continue reading Post-Arab Spring Middle East: Democratisation and geopolitical challenges
Democratic Transition, Consolidation and External Influence in Politics
The paper introduces the discussion of the democratic transition and consolidation process in Bangladesh keeping the transition and consolidation theory in frame and critically analyses the channels of external influences in Bangladesh politics while examining whether democratic malfunctioning and weaknesses in political processes and cultures are providing any room for the external actors. Read full… Continue reading Democratic Transition, Consolidation and External Influence in Politics
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