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Local Political Consolidation in Bangladesh: Power, Informality and Patronage

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  • David Lewis
  • Abul Hossain

Abstract

During the past decade Bangladesh has shifted from a competitively clientelistic two‐party system towards a dominant‐party democracy. This article analyses how the ruling party has consolidated partisan political control at the local level. Using qualitative field data from 2004 and 2016, and drawing on a post‐structural analysis of the state, it shows how this extension of power has been achieved locally through interaction between formal and informal political initiatives. Four main types of informal activity are documented, through which the extent of local political competition has been reduced: circumvention, capture, brokerage and the creation of new organizations. These insights into the changing nature of Bangladesh's long‐standing partisan politics highlight how the state's capacity to deliver local services, allocate resources and maintain stability has been enhanced through the ruling party's control of local government structures, its elimination of political opposition, and its reshaping of local patronage arrangements.

Suggested Citation

  • David Lewis & Abul Hossain, 2022. "Local Political Consolidation in Bangladesh: Power, Informality and Patronage," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 53(2), pages 356-375, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:devchg:v:53:y:2022:i:2:p:356-375
    DOI: 10.1111/dech.12534
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kirsten Hackenbroch & Shahadat Hossain, 2012. "“The organised encroachment of the powerful”—Everyday practices of public space and water supply in Dhaka, Bangladesh," Planning Theory & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(3), pages 397-420.
    2. Diana Mitlin, 2014. "Politics, informality and clientelism – exploring a pro-poor urban politics," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series esid-034-14, GDI, The University of Manchester.
    3. North,Douglass C. & Wallis,John Joseph & Webb,Steven B. & Weingast,Barry R. (ed.), 2013. "In the Shadow of Violence," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107684911.
    4. repec:cup:cbooks:9781107014213 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Hossain, Naomi, 2017. "The Aid Lab: Understanding Bangladesh's Unexpected Success," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198785507.
    6. North, Douglass C. & Wallis, John Joseph & Webb, Steven B. & Weingast, Barry R., 2007. "Limited access orders in the developing world :a new approach to the problems of development," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4359, The World Bank.
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    1. Masud-All-Kamal, Md. & Hassan, S.M. Monirul & Haidar, Julfiker, 2026. "Kinship, dadon and patronage politics: The role of informal institutions in climate adaptation," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).

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