Bangladesh

1971

Bangladesh Independence War and Independence

1975

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated; first military dictatorship

1990

Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zhia got rid of Ershad through mass anti corruption protests

2006

Emergency: Caretaker government organizes next election after an impasse brings the country to a standstill

2009

Hassina comes to power and imprisons Zhia

SMR

Awami league founder; father of the nation; state socialist; authoritarian

Ziaur Rahman

BNP founder; controversial legacy (land reform, infrastructure but also dictatorship)

Sheikh Hasina

daughter of SMR; started super democratic and became a tyrant

Khaleda Zia

more Islamist; widow of Zia

Defining Features of Democracy in Bangladesh

Rigged elections; caretaker governments; military intervention; popular uprisings; culture of patronage/corruption; violent transfer of power; elite control

Caretaker Government

constitutional provision within the Bengali state that allows for a unelected tribunal to temporarily take power in order to organize free elections; chief advisor is appointed by the President and he is head of government in the interim (constitutionally approved coup)

Democracy in Bangladesh vs India

1. India: more peaceful transfer of power; more ethno-linguistic diversity; more trusted electoral system 

2. Bangladesh: more popular uprisings; more military meddling; more homogeneity

3. Less institutionalized democratic expression: Bengalis tend to take to the streets; Indians take to the ballot box 

4. More importance of the military in Bangladesh 

5. Both are highly dynastic 

6. Similarities: Protests against elites; strongman tactics; active civil society

Sheikh Hasina tenure in politics

1. She had huge democratic credibility for her role in the 1990 democratic transition but her reign post-2008 grew increasingly dictatorial ⇒ jailing opponents; clamping down on dissent; rigging elections; patronage/corruption 

2. strong economic growth though

Khaleda Zhia Regime

Khaleda Zia's regime in Bangladesh saw economic growth, infrastructure development, and social welfare initiatives, with some progress in empowering women. However, her leadership was marred by political instability, widespread corruption, confrontations with the opposition, and a deteriorating law and order situation, alongside energy crises and the rise of militant groups.

Future of Bangladesh Democracy

Right now Mohammad Yunus heads the caretaker government which is organizing elections; Khaleda Zia is out of jail and her party is expected to sweep