Blog Archives
Gun Laws in South Asia
The recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai instigated an intense debate on the role of gun laws in South Asia. Notoriously strict, domestic gun laws in South Asia were created during British colonialism. Many citizens feel these gun laws attempted to suppress citizens rather than protect them. Many pro-gun individuals claim that the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack that killed or wounded hundreds of people could have been avoided if stringent gun laws did not exist. Although South Asia has been a target of numerous large-scale terrorist attacks in recent years, the open-nature of the Mumbai attack hit a nerve in pro-gun lobbies worldwide. The argument against gun laws in this instance hinges on the perception that if citizens were able to hold guns, the terrorists would have been neutralized or even deterred before completing their heinous objective. Individuals that support gun laws would say that this argument exceeds any practical reading of the situation that unfolded in Mumbai. Would rescinding gun laws, allowing civilians to carry firearms, deter terrorist thinking? It appears that some feel that throwing more guns into a world that clearly has a gun problem lacks common sense. Statistics shows that the majority of murders are committed with … Continue reading
Bangladesh Travel
Although Bangladesh travel has not received large amounts of world-wide attention, there is an overall beauty to the country that simply can not be ignored. Bangladesh travel has become much safer since free elections were held again in December 2008, but dangers still lurk in the tumultuous country. All travelers should be apprised of the local Bangladesh laws and customs to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Bangladesh has a long and illustrious history that dates back thousands of years. Bangladesh travel offers beautiful natural landscapes, great mosques, and rare wildlife. Many people that have traveled Bangladesh are quick to note the openness of the locals. Bangladesh travel will not consist of prearranged tours and sight-seeing, but offers a broad expanse of places to be discovered. As an alternative to common tourist locations, the avid traveler will appreciate the mystery that Bangladesh offers. Although Bangladesh travel has become safer over the past year, visitors should be aware of the frenzied political atmosphere. Unfortunately, country-wide strikes remain commonplace and can shut down all functions of Bangladesh political infrastructure including transportation and local commerce. Non-observance of these political shut-downs could result in dangerous confrontation. Many countries and national travel organizations advised against Bangladesh travel … Continue reading
Laws of Bangladesh
The current laws of Bangladesh mirror their Western origins, but maintain their own cultural and religious values. A recent change in the laws of Bangladesh separated the judicial branch from the executive, aiding the further removal of political corruption. Although the laws of the Bangladesh constitution inspire high-minded ideas of democracy and freedom, many citizens simply do not have access to these protections and have no idea of their guaranteed rights. Similar to the American Bill of Rights, the laws of Bangladesh enumerate 23 fundamental rights, most of which are covered in the American Constitution or subsequent legal jurisprudence. Many Muslim leaders feel that democracy contradicts the laws of religion, but Bangladesh has managed to maintain their form of parliamentary democracy while observing their religion obligations. Some laws of Bangladesh included in the 23 fundamental rights are; the right to property, protection of right to life and personal liberty, and equality before law. The judiciary system relies on a Supreme Court as its highest court to deliberate on the laws of Bangladesh. Until recently, the executive branch wielded great control over the Supreme Court making it a political body subjected to posturing and corruption. The great writers on democracy consistently … Continue reading
Political Issues in South Asia
The political issues of South Asia are interesting and often convoluted. The most important feature of the several nation-states that now exist in South Asia, is that they are mostly new as sovereign nations but contain some of the richest histories in the world. India, for example, never actually existed as a constant nation, but rather, as a system of boundary lines that shifted with its leaders on a regular basis. Most of South Asia became targeted by the British Crown by the early 17th century and as their influence grew so did their level of involvement in everyday life. After World War II British resources could no longer handle the expense of South Asia, a subsidiary half-way around the world, and granted an Indian independence. The partition immediately followed most likely caused by British insensitivity, and forever split South Asia along religious lines. Regardless of their shared history, the relationship between Pakistan and India is forever plagued since the 1947 partition. As a result of the partition, the Indian sub-continent split, causing mass killings between Muslims and Hindus. Political issues have not subsided in recent years as military build-ups near their shared border have become a common event. Since … Continue reading
International Politics of Bangladesh
The nation of Bangladesh has increasingly became a player in international politics in recent years. Bangladesh is a member of several organizations fostering benevolent international politics world-wide. In addition, their strong stance on terrorism and general view towards religious tolerance places them in a unique position on the world stage. As a parliamentary democracy, Bangladesh shares a governmental philosophy with many Western nations aiding their incorporation in international politics. America and Bangladesh established ties following the latter’s liberation in 1972. Since then, America has considered Bangladesh a useful ally in international politics. Considering the negative views many Muslim nations hold towards the United States of America, the peaceful nature between Bangladesh and America illustrates the possibility of diverse nations working together towards common goals. Bangladesh also aided in Operation Desert Storm facilitating a shared view on international politics. Bangladesh maintains strong feelings for the nation of Afghanistan and has assisted in many humanitarian issues. The nation strongly opposed the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and has taken a strong opposition to terrorist camps, encouraging an acceptable world-view of their international politics. Bangladesh is a member of many world organizations encouraging fair international politics. During the 1970s, the Bangladesh president suggested a … Continue reading
Religious Influences in Bangladesh Politics
Many nations world-wide struggle maintaining a balance between religion and politics. When Bangladesh gained independence from the Islamic nation of Pakistan, the nation supported a secular view on politics, focusing more on social liberties than religious fundamentalism. However, Bangladesh citizens are largely Muslim and since the signing of the constitution, laws have been enacted that encourage Islamic viewpoints. Following the Indian partition of 1947, the Islamic nation of Pakistan consisted of modern day Pakistan and Bangladesh. The boundary lines were drawn this way because of the large populations of Islamic citizens. When Pakistan began pushing Muslim policy, such as naming Urdu the national language, Bangladesh citizens fought to retain their cultural identity. Islamic politics did not suit the future Bangladesh nation and they soon after pushed for their independence. The makeup of Bangladesh helps explain their gradual shift to more religious-based politics in recent years. Nearly ninety percent of Bangladesh citizens are Muslim with smaller percentages of Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists. After separating from Pakistan–a nation based on Islamic principles–Bangladesh supported more secular politics. Since that time the largely Islamic population of Bangladesh has pushed national politics towards more Islamic principles. Unlike many Islamic nations, Bangladesh politics maintain a strong … Continue reading
Political Parties in Bangladesh
Bangladesh claims host to literally hundreds of political parties, most of which lie outside of the modern governmental structure. Situated as a parliamentary democracy, two main rival political parties have claimed the majority of power since Bangladesh independence in 1971. In addition to the main two party system, several other political parties cover the full spectrum of political ideology; from far-left communism to far-right fundamentalism The two main political parties in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party, share a tumultuous history, not unlike the country they represent. Compared to their immoderate beginnings, both political parties converged near the ideological center in recent years, yet the Bangladesh Awami League continues to hold the mantle for leftist and secular politics, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party leads the conservative faction. Historically, the Bangladesh Awami League represents a nationalist force that broke away from Pakistan and set to create a sovereign nation. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party emphasizes a Bengali nationalism also, but through a Islamic and religious social lens. Both leaders of the Bangladesh Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Movement political parties, descend from Bangladesh liberation leaders. Khaleda Zia, two-time Prime Minister and the first female to hold the position, heads … Continue reading
Child Labor Laws in Bangladesh
The world community criticized the nature of child labor laws in Bangladesh over the past fifteen years but statistically, the percentage of children in the workforce remains high. Due to a combination of poverty and persistent social aloofness to the necessity of stringent child labor laws, this trend will likely continue. Although several labor laws and federal agencies exist predicated on the elimination of children from the workforce, many families require the extra income while poverty-stricken regions of Bangladesh have little to offer in terms of education and skilled job training. During the 1990s estimations of children in the Bangladesh workforce ranged from a couple million, upwards to 20 million, of children working in low-paying factory jobs. Following years of negligence by the fashion industry, outside pressures finally began forcing businesses to stop alienating the absence of strict labor laws. Regardless of new labor laws, children continue to be exploited as cheap unskilled labor as the string of poverty that forces young children into the workplace will not simply disappear. Children growing up in poor regions throughout Bangladesh lack access to educational institutions or job training that could end the circle of poverty that places children in extremely dangerous situations. … Continue reading