Political Benefits Outweigh Socio-economic Losses: A Study from Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh is one of the emerging economies of the world with more than 160 million population. Since the state is run under democracy, political decision of the ruling party is an important element that determines the level of economic development. Present regime of Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Sheik Hasina for last 6 years (2009-2014) has been entitled with a number of economic losses incurred from political decision. One of the major political agenda of the current government is to punish the liberation war criminals. The study aims to analyze the socio-economic outcomes of the major political agendum of the current Awami League Government. Using secondary data from various published sources, the study reveals that the explicit financial expenditure behind the punishment of war criminals are not returned in cash. Moreover, it incurs loss of more than 500 lives during this period. Some other economic losses include- decline in GDP growth, fall in overseas employment and remittance flow, prevailing uncertainty in the economy and widespread corruption. One of the major opposite parties frequently observes countrywide strike to step down the activities of War Crime Tribunal. Such movement results losses of income in tourism industry, transportation as well as marginalized people of the society. Further, political unrest hampers the image of the country across the globe and the potential buyers become reluctant to purchase Bangladeshi products. However, only advantage of such political agenda is to derive psychic benefit by the supporters of party in power, metal relief received by the family member of victims in 1971 liberation war. Thus the study concludes, political interest outweigh the socio-economic losses in a developing country like Bangladesh.

Keywords: Political Agenda, Economic Loss, War Criminal, Economic Benefit, Awami League