BANGLADESH : A FRAGILE DEMOCRACY

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The decade long democratic experiment in Bangladesh has its ups and downs. The transparent electoral process administered through a neutral caretaker government and the smooth transfer of power has not improved internal instability and political maturity. Without ignoring the democratic accomplishments since 1991, "Bangladesh: A Fragile Democracy" seeks to highlight the turbulence sweeping through this new nation. The book argues that the highly personalised nature of Bangladesh politics and the personal animosity between Begum Khaleda and Sheikh Hasina have weakened the democratisation process. Moreover, the resurgence of Islam as the primordial identity of Bangladesh and the wave of violence against minorities as well as the rise of religious extremism, pose a serious challenge to the consolidation of democracy in Bangladesh. Table of Contents : Preface, Introduction National Identity: Religion versus Culture Islamisation & Dangers of Extremism Conclusion Election Politics: The Legitimacy Debate Coalition Politics & Political Opportunism, Electoral Mechanism, Coalition Politics, Elections 2001, Electoral Trends Faltering Democracy: the Teething Problems Clash of Personalities, Political Irresponsibility, Caretakes Government, Erosion of Parliament, Executive over-reach, Weakening Social Cohesion The Minorities: Hindus and Chakmas Sense of insecurity, Influx into India, Political Rivalries, Islamisation of Bangladesh, Structural Handicaps, Implications, The Chakma Problem, Background, Chakma Influxes, The Chakma Problem, Prelude to the Accord, The Accord, Evaluation of the Accord Indo-Bangladesh Relations: Impediments for Improvement Trade, Borders, Ganges Water Sharing, Migration, Insurgency, Al-Quidaa Controversy, Gas Politics Prognosis : Islamisation, Lack of Democratic Culture Bibliography, Index About author : Dr Sreeradha Datta is an Associate Fellow with IDSA. She has a Ph D in International Organisation, from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Her areas of specialisation have been India's Northeast and Bangladesh.