GOOD MORNINGWELCOME

TO MY PRESENTATION

Presentation On

Political Process of Peasant Society

Prepared and Presented By

Md. Sahed KhanID: 15RS JD-01M

Reg: 37769Session: 2010-11

Course No: RS-505Course Title: Agrarian Societies

PREFACEPower

“Power is the ability of its holders to exact compliance or obedience of other individuals to their will” (Lukes’)

“Power refers to control over men and command over resources” (Baily)

Politics “Politics is any persistent pattern in human relationships that involves, to a

significant extent, control, influence, power or authority.” (Robert Dahl)

Political Culture "The orientation of the citizens of a nation toward politics, and their perceptions of

political legitimacy and the traditions of political practice" (Rahman)

Types of Political CultureParochial

Citizens remotely aware of the

presence of central government

SubjectWhere all citizens

are heavily subjected to its

decisions

ParticipantCitizens able to influence the

government in various ways

Moral Political Culture Society is

held to be more important than the

individual.

Individual Political Culture

Government is seen as having a very

practical orientation.

Traditional Political CultureSocial and family

ties are prominent

Historical Political Power Pattern in Bangladesh The Historical Roots of Political Culture Populist form of political ideology Evolution of The Muslim league as a mass political party Political Parties and their Culture

1. Awami League (formerly Awami Muslim League): established on June 23, 1949

2. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP): Established on Sep 1, 1978

3. Jatiyo Party

4. Jamat-E Islam In running National affairs Dictatorship stronger rather than Democracy Hardly anyone can dare speaking against any decision of the two party’s chairman or president

even if it goes wrong (!)

CONTD… 1971-75 The

Mujib Era

1977-81The Zia regime

1982-91The

Ershad regime

1991-96: The

Bangladesh

Nationalist Party

(BNP) regime

1996-2000

The 2nd Awami League regime

2001-06: Coalition governm

ent headed by the BNP

2006-09The

Caretaker government

2009 to 2014The 3rd Awami League regime

2014-presentThe 4th Awami League regime

Political Power Holding Status in Rural Bangladesh:Features of Power Structure Patron Client Relation Encapsulation FactionalismMajor Factors Influencing Political Power Structure Having control over resource Personal relation with administration Having influence over people Controlling ability over kin-groups and religious sects Having Education Having good capacity in conflict management Good relation with local M.P. Control over Local activities

CONTD… Findings of The Net: BRAC (1983) Programme “:... resources were not reaching the poor and landless but instead

were being controlled and enjoyed by a small number of powerful men, who had developed good connections with the local government officers ... a small group seemed to have obtained a very disproportionate share of power.”

“…At the same time, the landless people with whom we were working frequently caught up helpless in the meshes of this invisible network which they only partially understood, had a very small amount of power indeed.”

Isn’t it a SHAMEFUL Outcome?

CONTD…Critical Aspects of Political Culture in Bangladesh

Freedom of speech, Right to jobs available locally and Rights to justice subject to political connection

Political power originates from the Control over Land, Labor and Capital Very poor tradition of growing leadership through democratic practices Politicians do not practice democracy within their parties Since immoral anti-social elements linked to political sections, law is easily violated Judgment goes in favor of who are politically more powerful in the society Constitutional provisions for selecting and electing party leaders is hardly followed Patron-client relation between rich and political parties is evident Party chiefs enjoy supreme authority, and unchallenged dictating power Party and family have been synonymous, i.e., Mujib and Zia families

Facts behind the Critical Aspect of Political Culture in Bangladesh: Local Elites as Barriers to Development due to

Their control over land and tenancy relationships Capture’ of external resources flowing into the village

for use in pursuit of their own interests Construction of patronage networks for their personal

gain

CONTD…Presence of Mustaans/Local

Strongmen/MafiaPlay three main inter-related roles

within local Power Structure They form part of the political structure

with village political leaders They are active within organizations

and networks of organized crime They act as intermediaries or brokers

in gate-keeping roles around access to services

Initiatives to Improve the Political Process of Peasant Societies:Reorganization of the Local Government

Structure Gram (Village), Union (Collection of Villages) Upazila (Sub-district) Zila (District) Councils

Purpose To democratize government at the grassroots level To increase participation of local people in the governmental process Giving the upazila (Sub-district) council the power

To collect revenue Prepare own budget Hire own employees

CONTD… During the late 1970s, General Ziaur Rahman’s Military Government had

been conceived, Gram Sarkar Village Government’ system “Headed by a Gram Pradhan (village head), the GS was composed of elected

members representing farmers, landless laborers, artisans, freedom fighters, women and youths. GS was given the responsibility for looking after agriculture, health, family planning, law and order, etc. But having no revenues of its own GS failed to discharge most of its functions. Besides, GS was heavily used by the Zia regime for partisan political purposes ... Yet Gram Sarkar was the first attempt not only to challenge the solidarity of the landed elite but could also be considered a step towards integrating the disadvantaged groups in the process of local governance” (Zarina Khan)

In-sights Confab The fate of Bangladeshis depends mostly on two political parties, the Awami League and the BNP Before the general election they present various agenda related to people's welfare, but after election

they forget everything and seek only self-interest

Recent political violence in the country has claimed 60 lives including six policemen. In addition, central party office of the opposition BNP was raided by police

Corrupt Political Culture may bring Adverse Consequences. So, better keep in mind that Darkness cannot remove Darkness

Similarly, hate can not remove hatred Finally, the real democracy and acute disparity of economy were the main spirits of the liberation war

of Bangladesh. It is 44 years since Bangladesh became independent.  We could not go where we wanted to go.  Our all achievements are being diminished due to Hostile, Negative and Damaging Political Cultures

We have to come out from this culture if we want to start nation building politics before it gets too late to react

THANK YOU ALL