Political process of peasant society in Bangladesh by Md Sahed Khan
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Transcript of Political process of peasant society in Bangladesh by Md Sahed Khan
GOOD MORNINGWELCOME
TO MY PRESENTATION
Presentation On
Political Process of Peasant Society
Prepared and Presented By
Md. Sahed KhanID: 15RS JD-01M
Reg: 37769Session: 2010-11
Course No: RS-505Course Title: Agrarian Societies
PREFACEPower
“Power is the ability of its holders to exact compliance or obedience of other individuals to their will” (Lukes’)
“Power refers to control over men and command over resources” (Baily)
Politics “Politics is any persistent pattern in human relationships that involves, to a
significant extent, control, influence, power or authority.” (Robert Dahl)
Political Culture "The orientation of the citizens of a nation toward politics, and their perceptions of
political legitimacy and the traditions of political practice" (Rahman)
Types of Political CultureParochial
Citizens remotely aware of the
presence of central government
SubjectWhere all citizens
are heavily subjected to its
decisions
ParticipantCitizens able to influence the
government in various ways
Moral Political Culture Society is
held to be more important than the
individual.
Individual Political Culture
Government is seen as having a very
practical orientation.
Traditional Political CultureSocial and family
ties are prominent
Historical Political Power Pattern in Bangladesh The Historical Roots of Political Culture Populist form of political ideology Evolution of The Muslim league as a mass political party Political Parties and their Culture
1. Awami League (formerly Awami Muslim League): established on June 23, 1949
2. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP): Established on Sep 1, 1978
3. Jatiyo Party
4. Jamat-E Islam In running National affairs Dictatorship stronger rather than Democracy Hardly anyone can dare speaking against any decision of the two party’s chairman or president
even if it goes wrong (!)
CONTD… 1971-75 The
Mujib Era
1977-81The Zia regime
1982-91The
Ershad regime
1991-96: The
Bangladesh
Nationalist Party
(BNP) regime
1996-2000
The 2nd Awami League regime
2001-06: Coalition governm
ent headed by the BNP
2006-09The
Caretaker government
2009 to 2014The 3rd Awami League regime
2014-presentThe 4th Awami League regime
Political Power Holding Status in Rural Bangladesh:Features of Power Structure Patron Client Relation Encapsulation FactionalismMajor Factors Influencing Political Power Structure Having control over resource Personal relation with administration Having influence over people Controlling ability over kin-groups and religious sects Having Education Having good capacity in conflict management Good relation with local M.P. Control over Local activities
CONTD… Findings of The Net: BRAC (1983) Programme “:... resources were not reaching the poor and landless but instead
were being controlled and enjoyed by a small number of powerful men, who had developed good connections with the local government officers ... a small group seemed to have obtained a very disproportionate share of power.”
“…At the same time, the landless people with whom we were working frequently caught up helpless in the meshes of this invisible network which they only partially understood, had a very small amount of power indeed.”
Isn’t it a SHAMEFUL Outcome?
CONTD…Critical Aspects of Political Culture in Bangladesh
Freedom of speech, Right to jobs available locally and Rights to justice subject to political connection
Political power originates from the Control over Land, Labor and Capital Very poor tradition of growing leadership through democratic practices Politicians do not practice democracy within their parties Since immoral anti-social elements linked to political sections, law is easily violated Judgment goes in favor of who are politically more powerful in the society Constitutional provisions for selecting and electing party leaders is hardly followed Patron-client relation between rich and political parties is evident Party chiefs enjoy supreme authority, and unchallenged dictating power Party and family have been synonymous, i.e., Mujib and Zia families
Facts behind the Critical Aspect of Political Culture in Bangladesh: Local Elites as Barriers to Development due to
Their control over land and tenancy relationships Capture’ of external resources flowing into the village
for use in pursuit of their own interests Construction of patronage networks for their personal
gain
CONTD…Presence of Mustaans/Local
Strongmen/MafiaPlay three main inter-related roles
within local Power Structure They form part of the political structure
with village political leaders They are active within organizations
and networks of organized crime They act as intermediaries or brokers
in gate-keeping roles around access to services
Initiatives to Improve the Political Process of Peasant Societies:Reorganization of the Local Government
Structure Gram (Village), Union (Collection of Villages) Upazila (Sub-district) Zila (District) Councils
Purpose To democratize government at the grassroots level To increase participation of local people in the governmental process Giving the upazila (Sub-district) council the power
To collect revenue Prepare own budget Hire own employees
CONTD… During the late 1970s, General Ziaur Rahman’s Military Government had
been conceived, Gram Sarkar Village Government’ system “Headed by a Gram Pradhan (village head), the GS was composed of elected
members representing farmers, landless laborers, artisans, freedom fighters, women and youths. GS was given the responsibility for looking after agriculture, health, family planning, law and order, etc. But having no revenues of its own GS failed to discharge most of its functions. Besides, GS was heavily used by the Zia regime for partisan political purposes ... Yet Gram Sarkar was the first attempt not only to challenge the solidarity of the landed elite but could also be considered a step towards integrating the disadvantaged groups in the process of local governance” (Zarina Khan)
In-sights Confab The fate of Bangladeshis depends mostly on two political parties, the Awami League and the BNP Before the general election they present various agenda related to people's welfare, but after election
they forget everything and seek only self-interest
Recent political violence in the country has claimed 60 lives including six policemen. In addition, central party office of the opposition BNP was raided by police
Corrupt Political Culture may bring Adverse Consequences. So, better keep in mind that Darkness cannot remove Darkness
Similarly, hate can not remove hatred Finally, the real democracy and acute disparity of economy were the main spirits of the liberation war
of Bangladesh. It is 44 years since Bangladesh became independent. We could not go where we wanted to go. Our all achievements are being diminished due to Hostile, Negative and Damaging Political Cultures
We have to come out from this culture if we want to start nation building politics before it gets too late to react
THANK YOU ALL