Civil Society in Bangladesh: Vibrant but Not Vigilant (New Frontiers in Regional Science: Asian Perspectives, 46)

This book is the first of its kind to offer an understanding, analysis, and prediction of the state of civil society in Bangladesh in relation to development and democracy. It is a research attempt to reveal the paradox found in developing countries like Bangladesh where there are numerous and active civil society organizations (CSOs) that have had almost no influence in consolidating democracy. This book, however, also qualifies the normative assumption on the positive relationship between civil society and democracy asserted by the mainstream neo-Tocquevillean School that has a profound influence on donor policies. Readers are introduced to civil society in Bangladesh from a broad perspective. Rather than confining the analysis to NGOs, chapters explore the origin, nature, and function of both modern and conventional CSOs, which helps to provide a more authentic understanding of the genuine state of civil society in relation to other actors in the political system. Combining survey data analyses and empirical observations with carefully chosen case studies, the book reveals that CSOs participate very actively in social services. This research also reveals that these highly active CSOs in the field of social development lack the necessary attributes for ensuring participation, proper interest articulation and monitoring of the state. Through systematic analysis, the book shows that political structures―and for Bangladesh, particularly political parties―along with vertical social relationships such as clientelism, patronage, nepotism, and corruption have contributed to a non-vigilant civil society in Bangladesh, although it often is spoken of in different terms. This book is highly recommended for researchers, students, and development practitioners interested in South Asia as well as in understanding the potentials and limitations of civil society in relation to development and democracy. Farhat Tasnim's book is a comprehensive treatment of civil society in Bangladesh. It will serve as a useful resource for future researchers in this field for a long time to come. Harry Blair, Yale University, USA Farhat Tasnim provides in this book a new perspective on one of the essential cases of civil society study, Bangladesh. Her penetrating analysis of the relationship of civil society organizations and democracy in Bangladesh should attract a wide readership. This is an important book not only for students of Bangladesh, but for scholars and practitioners interested in the relationship of civil society organizations and democracy. Robert J. Pekkanen, University of Washington, USA Foreword Preface Acknowledgements Contents List of Abbreviations List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Core Arguments 1.3 Importance of the Book 1.4 Methodological Issues 1.4.1 Analytical Framework 1.4.1.1 Vibrant and Vigilant Attribute of the Civil Society 1.4.1.2 Positioning the Civil Society in the Political System of a Developing Country Aiming Development and Democratic Consol... 1.4.1.3 Steps for Investigation 1.4.2 Methods 1.4.2.1 Description of the Survey Method Used 1.4.2.2 Qualitative Data Analysis Model 1.4.3 Study Area 1.5 Brief Introduction to Civil Society in Bangladesh 1.6 Propositions of the Book 1.7 Organization of the Book References Chapter 2: Conceptual Discourse 2.1 Civil Society Discourse 2.2 Neo-Tocquevillean School (Liberal Democratic Model) 2.3 Neo-Gramscian School (New Left Model) 2.4 Modern Concept of Civil Society 2.5 Civil Society: Democracy and Development 2.6 Studies on Civil Society in Bangladesh in Different Models 2.6.1 Neoliberal Model (Neo-Tocquevillean Model) 2.6.2 Critics of Neoliberal Model (Move to Gramsci ́s Model) 2.6.3 Structural Model 2.6.4 Cultural Model 2.6.5 Mixed Model Applied in the Present Research 2.7 Operationalization of Few More Concepts 2.7.1 Politicization of Civil Society 2.7.2 Democracy 2.7.3 Democratic Transition 2.7.4 Democratic Consolidation 2.7.5 Free Market Economy 2.7.6 Good Governance 2.7.7 Corruption 2.7.8 Patron-Client Relations and Vertical Norms References Chapter 3: Civil Society in Comparative Perspective 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Influence of Political Structures Upon Civil Society from a Comparative Perspective 3.2.1 Stable But Partly Illiberal Democracy-India 3.2.1.1 Nature of the Political System 3.2.1.2 Profile of the Civil Society 3.2.1.3 Political Structures and Civil Society 3.2.1.4 In Comparison to Bangladesh 3.2.2 Elitist Democracy-The Philippines 3.2.2.1 The Nature of the Political System and Democracy 3.2.2.2 Profile of the Civil Society 3.2.2.3 Influence of the Political Structures 3.2.2.4 In Comparison to Bangladesh 3.2.3 Military Controlled Democracy-Pakistan 3.2.3.1 Nature of the Political System and Regime Style 3.2.3.2 Profile of the Civil Society 3.2.3.3 Political Structures and Civil Society 3.2.3.4 Comparison with Bangladesh 3.3 Position of Bangladesh Civil Society and Democracy in Comparison to Other Asian Countries 3.4 Conclusion References Chapter 4: Civil Society and Political Structures in Bangladesh 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Level of Vibrancy of Civil Society in Bangladesh 4.2.1 Philanthropy Culture 4.2.2 Donor Policy 4.2.3 Registration System 4.3 Level of Vigilance of Civil Society in Bangladesh 4.3.1 Historical Background for Civil Society and Political Relationship 4.3.2 Confrontational Democracy in Bangladesh 4.3.3 Elite Composition: Politics and Civil Society 4.3.3.1 Civil Society Elites 4.3.4 Internal Characteristics of Civil Society Organizations 4.3.5 Political Party System in Bangladesh 4.3.5.1 Nature of Party Rule in Bangladesh 4.3.5.2 Third Parties 4.3.5.3 Nature of Building Social Support 4.3.6 Political Parties Penetrating Civil Society 4.3.7 Political Polarization Among the NGOs 4.4 Conclusion References Chapter 5: How Vigilant Is the Vibrant Civil Society? 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Nature of Civil Society in Bangladesh as Revealed through the Survey Data 5.2.1 Self-Classification by the CSOs 5.2.2 Policy Interest 5.2.3 Objectives 5.2.4 Geographic Coverage 5.2.5 Members 5.2.6 Resources 5.2.7 Volunteer 5.2.8 Employee 5.2.9 Budget 5.3 Vibrant Involvement in Grass-Roots Action 5.3.1 Evaluation of CSOs and NGO Performance 5.3.2 Subjective Influence Score (SIS) 5.4 Assessing the Nature of Vigilance among CSOs 5.4.1 CSOs ́ Relationships with Other Actors in the Political System 5.4.2 CSO ́s Relationships with the Government 5.4.3 The Nature of Advocacy 5.4.4 The Nature of Success in Policy-Making 5.4.5 The Nature of Lobbying 5.5 Is Bangladesh ́s Vibrant Civil Society Also Vigilant? References Chapter 6: Politicized Civil Society 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Civil Society and Political Relation as Revealed in the Survey Data 6.2.1 Most Influential Actors 6.2.2 Personal Relation with Actors 6.2.3 CSOs Relation with Political Parties 6.3 Civil Society and Politics from Newspaper Analysis 6.4 Understanding the Politicized Civil Society Through Case Studies 6.4.1 Rajshahi Sugar Mill Labor Union 6.4.2 PaharPur Adarsho Shomobai Krishok Samity (PaharPur Ideal Farmers ́ Cooperative) 6.4.3 Thengamara Mahila Shobuj Shongho (TMSS) [Thengamara (Name of a Particular Area in Northern Bangladesh) Women ́s Green Gro... 6.4.4 Rajshahi Rakkah Shangram Parishod-RRSP (Movement Group to Protect Rajshahi City) 6.4.5 The Primary School Teachers ́ Movement of 2006 6.4.6 Case Study Summary 6.5 Conclusions References Chapter 7: Conclusions 7.1 Summary 7.2 Ability of Civil Society in Consolidating Democracy 7.3 Neo-Tocquevillean Assumption and Donor Policies: Implication of the Bangladesh Case 7.4 A Brief Civil Society Advocacy Update in Bangladesh 7.4.1 Nature of Civil Society in 2017 7.4.2 Role of Civil Society During the Election 7.4.3 Civil Society Trends During the Corona Crisis 7.5 Conclusion: Vibrant but Not Vigilant References