📰 Which Political Theory Fits Bangladesh?

📰 Which Political Theory Fits Bangladesh?

A Hard Look at Our Democratic Identity

By Fardin Islam Shadhin

In global politics, three dominant theories — Liberalism, Marxism, and Realism — shape how nations are governed and how they engage with the world. These frameworks influence political structures, public policy, and foreign diplomacy.

But when it comes to Bangladesh, the pressing question is:

Which political theory best reflects our reality today?

Let’s take a closer look through each lens.

🟩 Liberalism: A Democracy in Name, Not Always in Practice

Liberalism stands for:

• Rule of law
• Freedom of expression
• Individual rights
• Free and fair elections
• Independent institutions

On paper, Bangladesh appears to embrace these values. We have:

• A constitution
• Regular elections
• A multiparty political system

But in practice, the reality often contradicts these ideals:

Key Contradictions:

• 🛑 Free speech is restricted — Journalists and activists face legal harassment and arrests under laws like the Digital Security Act.
• 🛑 Opposition parties are suppressed — Surveillance, politically motivated cases, and obstruction of rallies are common.
• 🛑 Elections lack credibility — Allegations of rigging and voter suppression marred the 2014 and 2018 elections.
• 🛑 Institutions lack independence — The judiciary and bureaucracy often appear aligned with the ruling party.

👉 Liberalism exists in form, but not in function.

Bangladesh presents itself as a democracy, but often resists behaving like one. The erosion of liberal values is not a theoretical concern — it’s our lived experience.

🟥 Marxism: From Founding Ideal to Forgotten Philosophy

When Bangladesh gained independence, socialism and Marxist principles were embedded in its early identity — focused on:

• Social equality
• Workers’ rights
• Redistribution of wealth

But over time, that vision faded.

Current Realities:

• 💸 Neoliberal capitalism dominates — Privatization, deregulation, and market-driven growth are prioritized over welfare.
• ⚖️ Severe income inequality —
  🔹 Top 10% hold over 38% of national income
  🔹 Bottom 10% hold less than 2% (BBS data)
• 🛑 Leftist parties are marginalized — Formerly vocal Marxist parties like CPB, BSD, and Workers Party have lost political relevance.

Bangladesh’s RMG sector (readymade garments), powered by underpaid workers, is a painful symbol of how far we’ve strayed from economic justice.

👉 Marxism no longer guides policy, but the problems it aimed to solve — inequality, elitism, and exploitation — are alive and well.

🟦 Realism: The Quiet Logic Behind Foreign Policy

Unlike liberalism or Marxism, Realism isn’t concerned with ideals. It’s about:

• National interest
• Survival
• Power and strategic advantage

And in foreign affairs, Bangladesh plays the realist card well.

Foreign Policy Features:

• 🌐 Balanced diplomacy — Maintains relations with India (neighbor), China (infrastructure), Russia (nuclear energy), and the U.S. (trade and aid).
• ⚖️ Non-alignment strategy — Avoids taking hard sides. For example:
  While the U.S. imposes visa bans over election issues, Bangladesh strengthens trade with China.
• 🏳️ Rohingya diplomacy — Hosts over a million refugees from Myanmar, yet avoids direct conflict with major global actors.

👉 Realism works for Bangladesh — It may lack ideological glamour, but it provides geopolitical leverage and flexibility.

🧭 What Theory Fits Bangladesh Best?

Truth is — no single theory fits perfectly.

Bangladesh operates in a hybrid political system, one that:

• Speaks the language of liberalism,
• Remembers the ideals of Marxism,
• Applies the strategies of Realism,
  but embraces none fully.

📢 The Hard Truth We Must Confront

Politicians often declare that power lies with the people. But the facts say otherwise.

The Real State of Politics:

• 🗳️ Elections often symbolic
• 🧍 Power concentrated at the top
• 🏛️ Institutions serve personalities, not principles

What Bangladesh Truly Needs:

• ✅ Independent institutions — Free from political influence: Election Commission, Judiciary, and Anti-Corruption Commission.
• ✅ Accountable leadership — Leaders who serve the people, not preserve their power.
• ✅ Civic empowerment — Citizens who are informed, assertive, and unwilling to be manipulated.

Bangladesh’s youth population, growing middle class, and digitally connected citizens are hungry for reform. But change has been slow, not because we lack knowledge — but because we lack political will.

📝 Final Thought

Bangladesh doesn’t need to copy-paste a Western ideology. What it needs is a moral compass — one grounded in:

• Justice
• Transparency
• Accountability
• National interest

No ideology — no matter how noble — will save us unless we’re ready to defend the values that uphold our nation.

The political theory that will define Bangladesh isn’t found in academic books — it will be written in our choices, our courage, and our commitment to truth.

Thanks for reading. If this resonates with you, share your thoughts, challenge the ideas, and join the conversation on the future of Bangladesh. 🇧🇩