Concepts of Development and Underdevelopment
1. Understanding Development in Bangladesh
● Definition of Development:
○ Development is the process of enhancing economic, social, and political conditions
to improve citizens' quality of life.
○ It emphasizes sustainable growth, equitable resource distribution, and robust
institutional frameworks.
● Bangladesh's Development Progress:
○ Economic Achievements:
■ Consistent GDP growth of 6-7% over the past two decades.
■ The Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector as the primary economic driver,
contributing over 80% of exports.
■ Significant foreign exchange earnings from overseas worker remittances.
○ Social Advancements:
■ Improved primary education enrollment and gender parity in schools.
■ Reduced child and maternal mortality rates through enhanced healthcare.
■ Empowerment of women and poverty reduction through microfinance
initiatives like Grameen Bank.
○ Infrastructure Development:
■ Completion of major projects such as the Padma Bridge and Dhaka Metro
Rail.
■ Improvements in energy and transportation infrastructure.
■ Increased digital connectivity and mobile banking for financial inclusion.
2. The Challenges of Underdevelopment in Bangladesh
● Definition of Underdevelopment:
○ Underdevelopment is characterized by low economic growth, poor social indicators,
and weak governance.
○ It is often marked by dependency, inequality, and structural obstacles.
● Challenges of Underdevelopment:
○ Poverty and Inequality:
■ Approximately 20% of the population living below the poverty line.
■ High income inequality, with wealth concentrated in urban areas.
○ Environmental Vulnerabilities:
■ High vulnerability to climate change, including floods, cyclones, and rising
sea levels.
■ Threats to food security due to climate change impacts on agriculture.
○ Economic Dependence:
■ Vulnerability to global market fluctuations due to reliance on the RMG sector.
■ Structural weaknesses highlighted by dependence on foreign aid and
remittances.
○ Governance and Institutional Weaknesses:
■ Hindrance of development efforts by corruption and bureaucratic
inefficiencies.
■ Disruption of progress by political instability and weak rule of law.
3. Theoretical Perspectives on Bangladesh's Situation
● Modernization Theory:
○ Core Idea: Development is achieved by adopting modern technologies, institutions,
and values.
○ Application to Bangladesh: Industrialization, export-oriented growth,
technological advancements, and investments in education and healthcare.
● Dependency Theory:
○ Core Idea: Underdevelopment results from historical exploitation and economic
dependence.
○ Application to Bangladesh: Reliance on foreign aid, remittances, and the global
RMG market, along with unfavorable trade terms.
● World-Systems Theory:
○ Core Idea: The global economy is divided into core, semi-peripheral, and
peripheral countries.
○ Application to Bangladesh: Bangladesh's position as a peripheral country
providing cheap labor and raw materials.
4. Key Factors Influencing Bangladesh's Development
● Globalization:
○ Opportunities: Increased exports, foreign investment, and access to international
markets.
○ Challenges: Vulnerability to external shocks and competition from other low-cost
manufacturing countries.
● Demographic Dividend:
○ Opportunities: A large workforce for economic growth.
○ Challenges: High youth unemployment, underemployment, and insufficient
investment in education and skills.
● Climate Change:
○ Threats: Natural disasters, rising sea levels, and threats to food security.
○ Adaptation Efforts: Investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and disaster
management.
● Governance and Institutions:
○ Strengths: Digitization of government services and active NGOs.
○ Weaknesses: Corruption, political instability, and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
5. Conclusion: The Path Forward for Bangladesh
● Bangladesh faces a complex interplay of development and underdevelopment.
● Addressing poverty, inequality, environmental vulnerabilities, and governance issues is
crucial.
● Key strategies include:
○ Diversifying the economy beyond the RMG sector.
○ Investing in education, healthcare, and climate resilience.
○ Strengthening governance and institutions.
● By implementing these strategies, Bangladesh can progress towards its goal of becoming
a developed nation by 2041.
