TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY IN BANGLADESH: ISSUES AND OUTLOOK

This article, written in the immediate aftermath of the popular uprising that overthrew the government of H.M. Ershad in late 1990, analyzes the key issues and outlook for Bangladesh's transition to democracy. It examines the dynamics of the mass movement, led by a coalition of opposition political alliances and student groups, that led to the regime's downfall. The study identifies the major challenges facing the interim government and the nation as it prepared for free and fair parliamentary elections in 1991. The research explores critical issues for the new democracy, including the need to establish civilian supremacy over the military, reform state institutions, revive the economy, and address deep-seated political polarization. The paper argues that while the overthrow of the authoritarian regime was a momentous achievement, the path to consolidating a stable and functional democracy would be long and arduous. The analysis concludes with a forward-looking assessment of the prospects for success.

The fall of the Ershad regime in December 1990 marked the beginning of a new and hopeful chapter in Bangladesh's political history: the transition back to democracy. This paper provides a contemporary analysis of the key issues and the outlook for this transition. The study begins by recounting the final phase of the popular movement against military rule, highlighting the unprecedented unity displayed by the mainstream opposition alliances and the pivotal role of the student community. The core of the article is an examination of the challenges confronting the transitional process. A central issue identified is the need to re-establish the legitimacy and neutrality of key state institutions, such as the Election Commission and the civil bureaucracy, which had been politicized during the years of authoritarian rule. The paper also delves into the debate over the future form of government, contrasting the arguments for a return to the parliamentary system with those who favored the continuation of a presidential system. The economic challenges are also highlighted, with the new government inheriting a struggling economy in need of urgent reform. The findings suggest that the initial euphoria of the post-uprising period was tempered by a sober recognition of the profound structural problems facing the country. The paper concludes with a cautiously optimistic outlook, suggesting that the success of the transition would depend on the ability of the political leadership to forge a new consensus on the fundamental rules of the democratic game and to prioritize national interests over partisan rivalries.