
Perspectives and Analysis presents the thought of prominent thinkers about political issues pertaining to Bangladesh about which there is need for serious contemplation and action. It contains ideas about the country’s political culture, challenges and democratization, approaches to institution building, issues of leadership and legitimacy, and the continuing saga of conflict between the two main political rivals and possible solutions.
Bangladesh-India bilateral relations is perhaps amongst the most important and sensitive elements in the foreign policy of both the countries. It has been influenced by common history, traditions, cultural affinity, as it is the closest neighbour of Bangladesh sharing a border of more than 4000kms, and most importantly, for India's role in Bangladesh's War of Liberation in 1971. The relations between the neighbours have seen many a ups and downs.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the economy of Bangladesh has surprised even the most astute observers and development agencies at home and abroad. In recent years, the economy has been resilient and impressive. In a pioneering book in the early 1970's Faaland and Parkinson called Bangladesh, A Test Case for Development. Their point was that if Bangladesh could succeed, there was hope for other poor and less developed nations in the world.
The book is the outcome of a seminar that looked at the nature of challenges and the policy options facing Bangladesh in achieving accelerated, sustained and equitable economic growth. Since the early 1990s, Bangladesh has notably improved its economic growth performance following the introduction of market-oriented liberalising economic reforms. The positive impact of economic growth on poverty was, however, compromised to some extent by a worsening of income distribution.
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) are an integral aspect of society in Bangladesh. They provide a variety of services to people, generate employment, mobilize public opinion, and influence governmental policy. They remain as an important liaison with the donor community and are a substantial cultural, political and economic presence in the country. NGOs are involved in many important sectors of the economy such as education, health, and finance.
Governance in theory and practice has been the subject of intense discussion and indepth study both in the developed and developing countries for quite sometime. Though improvement in the quality of governance has been slow in coming, there is now a fair degree of agreement over the major issues involved and the reform measures called for. This anthology reflects these issues from the South Asian perspectives based on the experiences of the past and the imperatives of the present.
The problems of governance have occupied the centre stage of national debate in Bangladesh since independence. But at this particular point in time, their appropriate resolution has assumed unprecedented importance and urgency in our national life. With only five years to go before we enter the 21st century, our nation has reached a stage from where we may either move forward to a bright future or relapse into darkness. It is in this context that governance issues in Bangladesh have to be analysed for finding adequate solutions and means of implementation.
Tradition and modernity are perhaps the two poles against which women of South Asia are pitted. The main elements of tradition seem to be comprised of religion. Religion occupies a somewhat difficult position in the largely secular terrain that speak of the empowerment of women. This fascinating volume explores the role that religion, culture and society play in the social and political positioning of women.
This book is about birth practices among poor, rural women in Bangladesh. Kaosar Afsana has used a multidimensional framework for the study. She draws upon ideas and perspectives from history, anthropology, gender and socio-political economy to analyse experiences of self and other, which are truly impressive. It is a pioneering study where various choices available for birthing care in the country are addressed.