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Party System Institutionalization and Pernicious Polarization in Bangladesh

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  • Tahmina Rahman

Abstract

This article traces the development of political polarization in Bangladesh since its 1971 war of independence. I show how polarization is elite-driven, hinging mostly on competing views of the foundation myth of the nation. One major political bloc has emerged that ties national identity tightly to religion (Islam), where the other bloc prefers a national identity tied to ethnicity and use of the Bengali language. I show how an underdeveloped party system has contributed to the resulting political and societal polarization that stems from this ideological divide, which was created by elites as they attempted to consolidate party power. Further, I make a case that the activities of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)—established in 2010 to prosecute those who aided the Pakistani army in committing war crimes during the 1971 war—actually increased polarization and made it pernicious. Instead of healing the nation, the ICT exacerbated old political cleavages and instigated violence and social tension, making Bangladesh’s young democracy more unstable and careening.

Suggested Citation

  • Tahmina Rahman, 2019. "Party System Institutionalization and Pernicious Polarization in Bangladesh," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 681(1), pages 173-192, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:681:y:2019:i:1:p:173-192
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716218817280
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abul Kalam Azad, 2012. "Bangladesh: An Umpired Democracy," Journal of Social and Development Sciences, AMH International, vol. 3(6), pages 203-213.
    2. Md Nazrul Islam & Md Saidul Islam, 2018. "Islam, Politics and Secularism in Bangladesh: Contesting the Dominant Narratives," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-18, March.
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