Numbers and Narratives in Bangladesh's Economic Development

This book focuses on socio-economic developments of Bangladesh by challenging the dominant international narrative of the case being termed as development surprise, development paradox or development conundrum, given the absence of good governance. In doing so, the book examines the political economic dynamics and offers valuable insights into the current state of the Bangladeshi economy in light of stability, transformability and sustainability.
Pointing to the 'high' rate of growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in Bangladesh, there is wide belief that economic growth can be obtained even without functioning institutions, and is more important than an inclusive political system. Advocates go on to argue that authoritarianism may be condoned as long as a steady course of development is perused. However, the inadequacy of comparative analysis in to the state of the economy of Bangladesh vis-à-vis other relevant economies makes such claims myopic and parochial.
This book thus investigates the numbers and narratives to ascertain the validity of such assertions and lamentations by looking at the necessary and sufficient conditions of development. The necessary conditions imply an incisive inquiry into the factors of economic growth land, labour, capital and technology while sufficient conditions warrant a penetrating incisive inquiry into the factors of economic growth land, labour, capital and technology. As such, the book explores development by drawing variables of politics and economics to find out a causal relationship, and interjects these variables have on themes such as growth, agriculture, manufacturing industry, financial sector, health, education, poverty and inequality.

Questions if economic growth can be obtained even without functioning institutions, and an inclusive political system. Challenges the dominant international narrative of Bangladesh as being a development surprise. Investigates factors of economic growth in Bangladesh such as land, labour, capital and technology. Focuses on sectors on Bangladesh such as agriculture, manufacturing, financial, health, and education

Auteur

Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir is a Professor of Economics at the Department of Development Studies of the University of Dhaka. He has worked in diverse constituencies, namely, academia, governments, think-tanks, international organisations and media. He has led numerous projects for diverse organisations including governments, development partners and international organisations at home and abroad.

Résumé

"The book is an important addition to the literature on development studies in general and political economy of South Asia in particular. It contains useful leads and insights on the process of growth in less developed economies and provides interesting guidelines to construct a growth framework. Its main takeaway is that quantitative growth cannot be sustained in the long run without improving its quality." (Pervez Tahir, PIDE P&R, Vol. 2 (6), June, 2021)

Contenu

Chapter 1: ECONOMIC Growth IN BANGLADESH.- Chapter 2: Agriculture IN BANGLADESH.- Chapter 3: Manufacturing Industry OF BANGLADESH.- Chapter 4: Financial Sector OF BANGLADESH.- Chapter 5: Education IN BANGLADESH.- Chapter 6: Health IN BANGLADESH.- Chapter 7: Poverty and Inequality IN BANGLADESH.- Chapter 8: Conclusions: Institutions, Political Settlement and Economic Outcome.