BOOK REVIEW: Bangladesh: Problems of Governance, University Press Ltd.

This article is a scholarly review of the book "Bangladesh: Problems of Governance" by the eminent economist Rehman Sobhan. The reviewer summarizes the central thesis of the book, which provides a critical analysis of the deep-seated governance challenges that have impeded Bangladesh's development since its independence. The review highlights the key themes explored in the book, such as the role of the state, the nature of the ruling elite, the problem of aid dependency, and the challenges of building effective and accountable institutions. The reviewer assesses the strengths of Sobhan's analysis, particularly its powerful critique of the "soft state" and the symbiotic relationship between political power and private accumulation. The review also offers a critical perspective, engaging with Sobhan's arguments and considering alternative interpretations. It concludes by affirming the book's status as a seminal and essential text for anyone seeking to understand the political economy of Bangladesh and its enduring governance problems.

This article provides an in-depth review of Professor Rehman Sobhan's significant work, "Bangladesh: Problems of Governance." The review begins by positioning the book as a landmark contribution to the study of Bangladesh's political economy. It encapsulates the author's main argument: that Bangladesh's failure to achieve its full development potential is not due to a lack of resources or sound policies, but to a fundamental crisis of governance. The reviewer then systematically discusses the key arguments advanced in the book. This includes Sobhan's powerful critique of the country's aid dependency, which he argues has distorted policy-making and undermined national ownership. It also includes his incisive analysis of the nature of the state and the elite, who are portrayed as being more engaged in rent-seeking and private accumulation than in promoting broad-based national development. The review praises the book for its analytical rigor, its historical depth, and its courage in confronting the most sensitive and difficult questions of Bangladeshi politics. While largely laudatory, the review also engages critically with some of the book's propositions, perhaps suggesting areas that could have been further explored. The review concludes by stating that Sobhan's work is not merely a descriptive account but a powerful call to action, a foundational text that sets the agenda for the debate on governance reform in Bangladesh for years to come.