Tag Archives: Political
Recent Bangladesh Political Issues
This past year Bangladesh overcame a near failing of their government, as a number of political issues threatened to tear the seams of an already stretched nation. In addition to governmental short comings, other political issue run rampant in Bangladesh. Looking towards the future Bangladesh officials will need to offer an olive branch to opposition leaders to unify the nation and take on core political issues. Bangladesh instituted a system that eased the transfer of governmental power to avoid inherent political issues that stem from bitterness and animosity between the two primary political parties. The idea became a constitution mandate and pacified some of the political issues that faced Bangladesh. In January of 2007, certain political issues and realities came to a head, highlighting the need for the appointment of an intermediary government to root out corruption and violence from all levels of the Bangladesh government. The almost two year transfer period witnessed large numbers of corruption related arrests, displaying the full-extent of the political issues facing Bangladesh. The temporary government held open elections in December of 2008 hoping for a future where Bangladesh leader can work together to tackle political issues. The election results marked an enormous win for … Continue reading
Political History of Chittagong
The political history of Chittagong, Bangladesh closely mirrors the similar political history of the greater South Asian sub-continent. Functioning as a port city for centuries, Chittagong has natural geographic benefits making it a desirable city to control for aspiring empires and leaders. Chittagong experienced political turmoil for much of their recorded history forcing several rebuilding efforts, but the city appears to become stronger each time. The political benefits to controlling a port city are clear. Direct access to imports/exports, travel, and food, often makes ancient port cities like Chittagong contested territory. The early political history of Chittagong demonstrates the importance of controlling the port. Beyond the water boundary, Chittagong is also surrounded by inhospitable land terrain, making it easier for controlling political powers to protect their interests. During the seventeenth century, the political control of Chittagong fell to the Mughal empire as much of the Indian sub-continent had during this period. The Mughal political system of overlords and subsidiaries maintained control of Chittagong until the British Empire eventually came to control the port city as their growing influence during the nineteenth and eighteenth centuries made this fate inevitable. Throughout the nineteenth century, the people of Islamabad–the Mughals changed Chittagong’s name … Continue reading
Bangladesh Politics and Student Activism
Bangladesh has a long history of intense student protest surrounding national politics. Students in Bangladesh have led major political movements and helped dictate the course of Bangladesh politics. Most recently, much of this activity in politics has turned violent, and students no longer inspire movements but encourage turmoil. The history of student involvement in Bangladesh politics dates back to the first nationalist movements of the former East Pakistan. The movement known as the Bengali Language Movement was led by student protesters refusing to give up their rights. As a result of growing tensions in Bangladesh surrounding the declaration of Urdu as the national language, governmental forces banned all public demonstrations. In 1952, student protests at Dhaka University challenging Pakistani politics led to police attacking the demonstrators and killing three students. Their death galvanized Bangladesh nationalism and started a long trend of student activism in politics. It seems in recent years Bangladesh students have become as jaded by partisan politics as their fore bearers. Bangladesh student leaders tend to go back and forth between practical demonstration and inspiring mass violence. The politics of these student groups seem to be passed down from either prominent political party, demonstrating an obedience to party … 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
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