The political economy of decentralization in Bangladesh

Abstract

The thesis attempts to illustrate the decentralization policies in Bangladesh with greater attention to local government reforms initiated in the last two decades. In order to identify the dominant traits of the decentralization process, the study examines the sweeping political and economic changes occurring in the country in the period. In particular, the overthrow of the military regime in 1990 and the building of democratic structures at the national level was an encouraging prospect to transfer power and resources to the local areas. By focusing on two key elements of decentralization, namely autonomy and participation, the study undertakes the analyses of the composition, functions and their politico-administrative implications of the reforms undertaken by the various regimes.

On the basis of the findings, the study argues that the transition to democracy did not bring any qualitative changes in decentralization efforts, particularly in terms of including rural population in the development process, and that the military government in power between 1982-90 effected the most far reaching changes in local government structure. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)