Bangladesh democracy

On reforming our imported institutions and governance

South Asia was fragmented in 1947 at the macro (regional) level, but even more egregiously so at the micro (nation-state) level.

Can Bangladesh and India transcend South Asia's colonial legacies?

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.

New political settlement and the vision of a democratic state

Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic transformation calls for reforms, a new constitution, and youth leadership.

Our expectations of this government should match its competence

If we grasp that our expectations were unrealistic, a decline in our expectations of the interim government need not entail a sense of disappointment.

Time to fulfil the dreams of 1971

This Victory Day, we must pledge to create a fair and just Bangladesh

Bangladesh's governance crisis is beyond superficial solutions

It requires a complete overhaul of the systems that allowed corruption, inefficiency, and anti-democratic practices to flourish.

The urgent path out of Bangladesh’s current fragility

Having analysed the drivers of democratic transitions in the context of Bangladesh, on balance, we may still be on track to beat the odds.

For true democracy, we need checks and balances of power

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?

We must strengthen our institutions to preserve democracy

Bangladesh must undergo massive political and constitutional reforms

August 7, 2024
August 7, 2024

'No political decision should be taken without students’ input'

Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, talks with The Daily Star about the current political situation of the country.

February 13, 2023
February 13, 2023

Attacks on BNP are condemnable

Government must allow opposition to hold events without interruptions

February 9, 2023
February 9, 2023

Who killed democracy in Bangladesh?

The recent by-polls represent the state of democracy in our country fairly accurately.

January 12, 2023
January 12, 2023

Which path do we want to be on?

It is imperative to bring voters to conversations pertaining to the 2023 general elections.

December 26, 2022
December 26, 2022

Sometimes a slap is not just a slap

Political violence has reached an alarming level in Bangladesh

June 1, 2022
June 1, 2022

Democracy crushed under BCL’s boots?

What earned the JCD such a thrashing?

March 22, 2019
March 22, 2019

'Danger for democracy'

Expressing frustration over the poor voters' presence in many places during the upazila polls, Juktafront Chairman Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury yesterday warned that the voters' apathy might put democracy in grave danger.

March 13, 2019
March 13, 2019

Populism and how it impacts democracy

In recent times, the socio-political scenes in scores of countries around the world have been turning toxic. A creeping polarisation among political forces is taking hold, accompanied by a culture of demonising the adversaries, use of vitriolic and bareknuckle hate rhetoric.

March 2, 2019
March 2, 2019

On Democratic Socialism

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the 20th century's ideological contest seemed over. Capitalism had won and socialism

March 22, 2018
March 22, 2018

Democracy 'in danger'

The BNP yesterday presented a “grim picture of the country's democracy” before around a dozen foreign diplomats in Dhaka.