Democracy does not seem to be our focus today. Because if it were, then shouldn’t we have been talking about elections more?
Rebalancing of powers crucial for restoring democracy
Interim administrations are meant to be brief custodians, not long-term stewards.
Democracy, though globally dominant since the fall of communism, is far from a one-size-fits-all system.
It would be a gross dereliction of duty by our political leaders if they fail to reach a consensus on a reform package.
South Asia was fragmented in 1947 at the macro (regional) level, but even more egregiously so at the micro (nation-state) level.
The broader question is whether South Asia can transcend the legacies of colonialism and embrace a model of cooperation that prioritises collective well-being over individual dominance.
Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic transformation calls for reforms, a new constitution, and youth leadership.
If we grasp that our expectations were unrealistic, a decline in our expectations of the interim government need not entail a sense of disappointment.
It requires a complete overhaul of the systems that allowed corruption, inefficiency, and anti-democratic practices to flourish.
Having analysed the drivers of democratic transitions in the context of Bangladesh, on balance, we may still be on track to beat the odds.
When the constitution and laws of a country of 170 million people allow and enable one individual to have complete control over the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the government, can that country genuinely be considered democratic?
Bangladesh must undergo massive political and constitutional reforms
The problem with parties in Bangladesh is that their activism relies on backward-looking and person-centric politics and revolves around a single leader.
Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, talks with The Daily Star about the current political situation of the country.
Government must allow opposition to hold events without interruptions
The recent by-polls represent the state of democracy in our country fairly accurately.
It is imperative to bring voters to conversations pertaining to the 2023 general elections.
Political violence has reached an alarming level in Bangladesh
