Small is Beautiful and Bountiful: Bangladesh, from Basket-case to Development model?
Based on:
Journal Article (2015)
Bangladesh was termed as a basket case. However, its development experience during the last three decades is a mixed one. On socio-economic performances, its achievements are outstanding, and better than its neighbouring countries. Its annual growth rate is lower than India, yet, it has been surprisingly good at improving the lives of the rural poor. But, its political culture seemingly appears to be a dysfunctional democracy.
Brief by:
Bangladesh, a basket case in the 70s, achieved remarkable developmental goals during the last three decades. With its moderate annual growth rate, lower than neighbouring India, it has been surprisingly good at improving the lives of the rural poor.
This paper addresses the question, despite a comparatively lower annual growth, how the so-called ‘development basket case’ has managed a disproportionate poverty reduction for its amount of growth?
Key findings
This research attributes such a development to its social organisation of the economy with a strong rural connection on two major dimensions: a.
increased agricultural production; and b. small scale business activities.
The combined effects of both these rural economic activities are the increased income of rural households, increased enrolment in educational institutions of the rural poor, female students in particular empowering women.
Small loans contributed to the welfare of the rural women, through providing possible means by which they gained control of their economic life.
Proposed action
For least developed countries, an inclusive development policy aimed at improving rural livelihood
Rural agricultural development policy and minimum disruption of human interaction with the natural environment
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to iDE Global
These insights were made available thanks to the support of iDE Global, who are committed to the dissemination of knowledge for all.
Special thanks to Christina Takayama for preparation assistance
We would like to extend a special thank you to Christina Takayama, for their invaluable contribution in assisting the preparation of this research summary.
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Small is Beautiful and Bountiful: Bangladesh, from Basket-case to Development model?
Cite this brief: Rahman, Masadur. 'Small is Beautiful and Bountiful: Bangladesh, from Basket-case to Development model?'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/small-is-beautiful-and-bountiful-bangladesh-from-basket-case-to-development-model/
Brief created by: Professor Masadur Rahman | Year brief made: 2022
Original research:
- Rahman, M., ‘Small is Beautiful and Bountiful: Bangladesh, from Basket-case to Development model?’ 8(10) (pp. 79–94) https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm. – https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2705341
Research brief:
Bangladesh was termed as a basket case. However, its development experience during the last three decades is a mixed one. On socio-economic performances, its achievements are outstanding, and better than its neighbouring countries. Its annual growth rate is lower than India, yet, it has been surprisingly good at improving the lives of the rural poor.…
Bangladesh, a basket case in the 70s, achieved remarkable developmental goals during the last three decades. With its moderate annual growth rate, lower than neighbouring India, it has been surprisingly good at improving the lives of the rural poor.
This paper addresses the question, despite a comparatively lower annual growth, how the so-called ‘development basket case’ has managed a disproportionate poverty reduction for its amount of growth?
Findings:
This research attributes such a development to its social organisation of the economy with a strong rural connection on two major dimensions: a.
increased agricultural production; and b. small scale business activities.
The combined effects of both these rural economic activities are the increased income of rural households, increased enrolment in educational institutions of the rural poor, female students in particular empowering women.
Small loans contributed to the welfare of the rural women, through providing possible means by which they gained control of their economic life.
Advice:
For least developed countries, an inclusive development policy aimed at improving rural livelihood
Rural agricultural development policy and minimum disruption of human interaction with the natural environment