History of Bangladesh

[mark1981]

Hi guys,

I am doing a PhD in economics with the subject focus on reason behind Economic failures of South Asia.. Recently it seems that India and Pakistan are growing rapidly but Bangladesh has not been able to maintain a challenge to those two.. What do you guys think are the reasons for the lack of progress?
I am planning to derive the thesis down to three major factors 1) Literacy 2) Climatic conditions and 3) Political structure.
What influence does religion play in a normal Bangladeshi life? If yes, why did religion fail when the country decided to breakaway from Pakistan. I read Pakistanis viewed the Eastern Pakistanis as a liability. Do you think Bangladeshis suffered racism? What is the pre and post 1947 Bangladeshis view of them? What do think of the help the West gave Bangladesh. Finally, do you agree with the treatment of Behari ethnic minority treatment and failure of the Bangladeshi community to integrate them in the society.

I would be extremely grateful if you guys can help me out..

[mashud4]

I think one of the major factor IS politics;

1. it has a sort of social retardation effect on people who study at university.
For some reason students in bangladesh feel the need to align with one of the political parties, and see any opposing party as always wrong. Once someone has joined a particular party, people from other parties will look down on that person just because of his political ideas.

What is needed is an immediate withdrawal of political parties from university life. This stemed from 1971 as bangladeshi students had no choice but to join the awami league for mass protest. But it seems that bangladesh still retains that 'air' of 1971 in student groups.

2. There is still too much corruption in poltical parties especailly at the grass roots; how can a country develop if resources(money, food etc) are diverted elsewhere?


In my opinion literacy and climatic conditions are not major factors.