An Uncertain Glory of Bangladesh: Development as Freedom and Bangladesh under the Awami Regime (2009-2020)

Abstract

This study explores whether Bangladesh has been able to translate its achievements in the economic and social aspects of development to the political aspects of development under the Awami League (2009-2020). Contemporary evaluation methods of development often consider only the two aspects of development – economic and social. The other one – political aspect of development is often left outside the evaluation methods. Through the lens of Development as Freedom, this study explores that most achievements of Bangladesh in the social and economic aspects are indeed valid, but these achievements have not been translated to the political aspects. It concludes that these achievements have created “an uncertain glory” for Bangladesh by using Jean Drèze and Amartya Sen’s evaluation of India through their concept Development as Freedom. While Indian achievements were flawed by inequalities and the slow social advancement, the achievements of Bangladesh are mainly flawed by the deficits in political freedoms.