Socialism in Bangladesh

Socialism (Bengali: সমাজতন্ত্র) is one of the fundamental principles of the Constitution of Bangladesh, along with nationalism, democracy and Secularism.[1] The constitution names Bangladesh as a people's republic,[2] and declares all powers to be vested to the people.[3] However, in Bangladesh, as a liberal democracy, the reference of "socialism" is generally used to describe the state's goal to construct an exploitation-free society,[4][5] rather than its original meaning and implementation, which is characterised by social ownership of the means of production, as opposed to private ownership. The constitution allows cooperative and private ownership along with state ownership.[6][7]

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The four stars in the National Emblem of Bangladesh represent the four fundamental principles of the constitution: nationalism, socialism, secularism, and democracy. Like most other socialist countries, sheaves of paddy in the borders represent the agricultural workers as a symbol of socialism.

Socialist and democratic socialist political parties played a key role the independence movement of both British India and Bangladesh. Upon the independence in 1971, country's founding leaders shaped the economy of Bangladesh as a socialist economy as described in the constitution, however, liberal democracy wasn't scrapped. But due to economic mismanagement and political turmoil, the economic system resulted in a stagnation, with the deadly famine of 1974 further created a humanitarian crisis. In 1975, the country's political structure was reorganised in a one-party socialist republic with BAKSAL being the sole legitimate political party. After the 15 August 1975 Bangladesh coup d'état and 1982 Bangladesh coup d'état, reformist military leaders would redefine socialism with social justice in 1979 and eventually introduce market and property reforms to push to a capitalist system. In 2011, the term "socialism" and "socialist" were again redefined to make the constitution more in line with the original document,[8] but the country remained a liberal mixed economy.

Constitution

Words "socialism" and "socialist" appear several times in the Bangladeshi constitution. In the constitution, the concept of socialism is seems to be more fiscal and social then political. Preamble briefly mentions the socialist principle and aim of the state:[9]

"...Pledging that the high ideals of nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism, which inspired our heroic people to dedicate themselves to, and our brave martyrs to sacrifice their lives in, the national liberation struggle, shall be the fundamental principles of the Constitution; Further pledging that it shall be a fundamental aim of the State to realise through the democratic process a socialist society, free from exploitation a society in which the rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedom, equality and justice, political, economic and social, will be secured for all citizens;..."

Article 7 declares the people's relationship with the state:[2]

"All powers in the Republic belong to the people, and their exercise on behalf of the people shall be effected only under, and by the authority of, this Constitution."

Article 8 of the re-describes the preamble's reference to socialism as the fundamental principle:[1]

"The principles of nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism, together with the principles derived from those as set out in this Part, shall constitute the fundamental principles of state policy."

Article 10 defines the characteristics of the socialist economy and freedom from exploitation:[4]

"A socialist economic system shall be established with a view to ensuring the attainment of a just and egalitarian society, free from the exploitation of man by man."

Further, Article 14 of the constitution pledges to ensure the emancipation of the peasants and workers:[10]

"It shall be a fundamental responsibility of the State to emancipate the toiling masses the peasants and workers and backward sections of the people from all forms of exploitation."

Likewise to the socialist states, Article 17 calls for free and compulsory education system:[11]

"The State shall adopt effective measures for the purpose of establishing a uniform, mass oriented and universal system of education and extending free and compulsory education to all children to such stage as may be determined by law."

Article 20 of the constitution best describes the socialist features of economy with the famous Marxist phrase "from each according to his abilities, to each according to his work", inspiring from the Soviet constitution:[12]

"Work is a right, a duty and a matter of honour for every citizen who is capable of working, and everyone shall be paid for his work on the basis of the principle “from each according to his abilities, to each according to his work”."

History

Early history
Socialist parties played an influential role in staging the massive protests for the Bengali Language Movement which led the destruction of Muslim League in East Pakistan, 1950s.
Main articles: Socialism in India and Socialism in Pakistan

Before the partition, region of Bengal was one of the important centers of revolutionary activities in British India. Bengali leaders played a vital role to introduce and assemble socialism as well as communism in India, such as Muzaffar Ahmad, co-founder of Communist Party of India.

After partition, communist activities were re-organized in newly established Pakistan. In 1949, Awami Muslim League, the predecessor of modern Awami League, was established aiming to establish exploitation-free society and abolishment of zamindar system. During the 1954 provincial elections in East Pakistan, Awami League-led United Front gained the exclusive mandate in East Pakistan. Earlier in 1950, Communist Party of Pakistan played a major role in labour strikes for the support of the language movement.[13] The Communist Party, with support from the United front, formed a democratic government in East Pakistan.[13] In 1958, the government in East Pakistan was dismissed by the central government.[14]

Socialist era (1972–1975)
Main articles: Premiership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Second Revolution (Bangladesh)

After the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, some socialistic approaches were taken by the Government of Bangladesh, increasing state participation in the productive activities to improve the economic status of the war ridden country. With a view to establishing a socialist nation under a Soviet economic model, many large and medium-sized enterprises and public utility enterprises were nationalized.[15][16] On 26 March 1972, all banks, and all insurance companies excluding the branches of foreign banks were nationalized.[17]

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president and the "founding father" of the country, advocated socialism and secularism in the country. According to him, the country's wealth belongs to all the people of Bangladesh. Everybody will have share in whatever would be produced. Exploitation would be stopped.[18] The constitution was highly dominated by socialist ideas and his party Awami League became the de facto vanguard party.

However, these initiatives resulted a rise of left-wing insurgance in the country, and many anti-AL organizations broke out, like Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) and Purba Banglar Sarbahara Party. A people's militia named Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini (JRB) was formed to handle the insurgance, which eventually involved with extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and atrocities.

The economy also saw a backslide. Reformation process left only the small and cottage industries for the private sector.[16] Public sector expanded very rapidly, but the share of public sector in GDP and in total productive efforts was insignificant.[19] This was because the agricultural sector was left to the private sector, which comprised about 80% of the national economy.[20] In 1974, a great famine broke out in the country, which emerges the mismanagement and failure of the system.

On 24 February 1975, due to increasing insurgency and political and economic mismanagements, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called for a socialist revolution in the country, named Second Revolution. Using the powers granted to him by the fourth amendment of the constitution, he formed a new political party, Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BaKSAL). It would be the only party allowed in Parliament.[21] Bangladesh became a one-party state. The party advocated state socialism as a part of the group of reforms under the theory of Second Revolution.[22] BaKSAL was the decision making council to achieve the objectives of the Second Revolution.[23] Government also restricted civil liberties and most of the newspapers were banned.

Growing insurgency, political and economic mismanagements and JRB atrocities formed an anti-Mujibist and anti socialist sentiment in the military. On 15 August 1975, Mujib along with his most of the family members was assassinated. Four of his closest allies and leading figures of the Revolution were killed on 3 November in that year. With the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, BaKSAL was dissolved and Second Revolution failed.

Post-socialist era

After the assassination of Mujib in 1975, new military leaders launched a de-Mujibization and liberalization programme develop a capitalist society. During the years of military rule that followed under Ziaur Rahman (1975-1981) and Hussain Muhammad Ershad (1982-1990), socialist policies and rhetoric were abandoned. Zia withdrawn most of the policies of the Second revolution and reintroduced multi-party representative system. Liberal and progressivist political parties were revivaled, as well as JaSad and other revolutionary Marxist–Leninist political parties were crushed during the post-coup purges. Relationships with United States and other Western Bloc countries also improved by that time.

Economy of Bangladesh saw a de-socialization as well as de-centralization by this time. Many state-owned enterprises were privatised, like banking, telecommunication, aviation, media, and jute. Trade liberalization and exports promoted. Economic policies aimed at encouraging private enterprise and investment, privatising public industries, reinstating budgetary discipline, and liberalising the import regime were accelerated.[24]

Contemporary Bangladesh

Today, contemporary Bangladesh has among the most liberalized economies of South Asia.[25] It is characterised as a developing market economy.[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] Awami League, the party which one time promoted socialism in the country, is currently encouraging free market economy and foreign investment. In 1991, AL president and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina noted that socialism was a failed system.[8]

Bangladesh ranked 128th out of 178 countries in the 2017 Index of Economic Freedom.[34]

Parties

Registereds
JaSaD protesters at an opposition rally in 2005

Unregistereds

See also

References
  1. "The Constitution: 8.Fundamental principles". Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  2. "The Constitution: 7.Supremacy of the constitution". Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  3. "Article 1 of the Constitution of Bangladesh". Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  4. "The Constitution: 10. Socialism and freedom from exploitation". Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Retrieved 25 April 2017.
  5. Phillips, Douglas A.; Gritzner, Charles F. (2007). Bangladesh. Infobase Publishing. p. 65. ISBN 978-1-4381-0485-0.
  6. Afzalur Rashid, Sudhir C. Lodh (1 January 2008). "The influence of ownership structures and board practices on corporate social disclosures in Bangladesh". Corporate Governance in Less Developed and Emerging Economies. Research in Accounting in Emerging Economies. Emerald Group Publishing Limited. 8: 211–237. doi:10.1016/s1479-3563(08)08008-0. ISBN 9781848552524.
  7. International Monetary Fund (25 June 2003). Bangladesh: Report on Observance of Standards and Codes-Fiscal Transparency. International Monetary Fund. p. 8. ISBN 9781451877182.
  8. "WikiLeaks: Socialism a failed system, said Sheik Hasina". GroundReport. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  9. "Preamble of the Constitution of Bangladesh". Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  10. "Article 14 of the Constitution of Bangladesh". Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  11. "Article 17 of the Constitution of Bangladesh". Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  12. "Article 20 of the Constitution of Bangladesh". Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  13. Ali, Tariq (2002). The Clash of Fundamentalism. United Kingdom: New Left Book plc. p. 395. ISBN 1-85984-457-X.
  14. Busky, Donald F. (2002). Communism in history and theory : Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Westport, Conn. ;London: Praeger. ISBN 0275977331.
  15. Alam, S. M. Shamsul (2016). Governmentality and Counter-Hegemony in Bangladesh. Springer. ISBN 9781137526038.
  16. Ahamed, Emajuddin (1 January 1978). "Development Strategy in Bangladesh: Probable Political Consequences". Asian Survey. University of California Press. 18 (11): 1168–1180. doi:10.2307/2643299. JSTOR 2643299.
  17. Schottli, Jivanta; Mitra, Subrata K.; Wolf, Siegried (2015). A Political and Economic Dictionary of South Asia. Routledge. p. 4. ISBN 9781135355760.
  18. Hossain, Abu Md. Delwar; Ullah, Md. Rahmat, eds. (2013). Bangabandhur Manobadhikar Darshon বঙ্গবন্ধুর মানবাধিকার-দর্শন [Bangabandhu's View of Human Rights] (in Bengali). Dhaka: National Human Rights Commission. pp. 16–25.
  19. Hossain, Naomi (2017). The Aid Lab: Understanding Bangladesh's Unexpected Success. Oxford University Press. p. 40. ISBN 9780198785507.
  20. Planning Commission (November 1973). The First Five Year Plan (1973-78). Dacca: Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. pp. 48–49.
  21. Ahmed, Moudud (1984) [First published 1983]. Bangladesh: Era of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Wiesbaden: Franz Steiner Verlag. pp. 245, 247. ISBN 3-515-04266-0.
  22. Molla, Gyasuddin (2004). "The Awami League: From Charismatic Leadership to Political Party". In Mitra, Subrata Kumar; Enskat, Mike; Spiess, Clemens (eds.). Political Parties in South Asia. Praeger. pp. 225–226. ISBN 978-0-275-96832-8.
  23. "Bangladesh: The Second Revolution". Time. 10 February 1975. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  24. "Background Note: Bangladesh". Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. March 2008. Retrieved 11 June 2008. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  25. Siddiqi, Dina Mahnaz (2010). "Political Culture in Contemporary Bangladesh". In Riaz, Ali; Fair, Christine (eds.). Political Islam and Governance in Bangladesh. Routledge. p. 8. ISBN 978-1-136-92623-5.
  26. Riaz, Ali; Rahman, Mohammad Sajjadur (2016). Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Bangladesh. Routledge. p. 165. ISBN 978-1-317-30876-8.
  27. Thorp, John P. (1986). "Bangladesh, Bangladesh!—A Review Article". The Journal of Asian Studies. Cambridge University Press. 45 (4): 789–796. doi:10.2307/2056087. JSTOR 2056087. S2CID 159085593.
  28. Siddiqi, Dina M. “Miracle Worker or Womanmachine? Tracking (Trans)National Realities in Bangladeshi Factories.” Economic and Political Weekly, vol. 35, no. 21/22, Economic and Political Weekly, 2000, pp. L11–17, JSTOR 4409325.
  29. Paksha Paul, B. (2010), "Does corruption foster growth in Bangladesh?", International Journal of Development Issues, Vol. 9 No. 3, pp. 246-262. doi:10.1108/14468951011073325
  30. Chowdhury, M.S. (2007), "Overcoming entrepreneurship development constraints: the case of Bangladesh", Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy, Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 240-251. doi:10.1108/17506200710779549
  31. Bashar, Omar K. M. R., and Habibullah Khan. “Liberalisation and Growth in Bangladesh: An Empirical Investigation.” The Bangladesh Development Studies, vol. 32, no. 1, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, 2009, pp. 61–76, JSTOR 40795710.
  32. Ahamed, Md Mostak. “Market Structure and Performance of Bangladesh Banking Industry: A Panel Data Analysis.” The Bangladesh Development Studies, vol. 35, no. 3, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, 2012, pp. 1–18, JSTOR 41968823.
  33. Abdin, MD. Joynal, The Nature and Evolution of Capitalism in Bangladesh (March 16, 2016). Abdin, M.J. (2016). The Nature and Evolution of Capitalism in Bangladesh, “The Nature and Evolution of Capitalism in All World”, March 16, 2016., SSRN 2752969. doi:10.2139/ssrn.2752969.
  34. View Chart of Scores over Time (13 January 2017). "Bangladesh Economy: Population, GDP, Inflation, Business, Trade, FDI, Corruption". Heritage.org. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
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