Category Archives: Gallery
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