The Odds Revisited : Political Economy of the Development of Bangladesh

Provides a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach combining economics, politics, history and the role of individual actors to explain Bangladesh's record of 'outlier' development. This book is an essential read for diplomats, students and scholars interested in the economic development of Bangladesh and South Asia.

This book looks at Bangladesh at and beyond its fifty years since its formation in 1971. A comprehensive, holistic narrative is constructed to track key development dynamics at the sectoral, sub-sectoral and macro levels. This much-needed exercise dispels the notion that the ''Bangladesh surprise'' can be reduced to singular dimensions such as the trauma of the 1971 war or women''s empowerment and micro-credit. The mixture of economic history, political economy and institutional and actor analysis provide fresh insights to the themes addressed. A well-argued case to view emerging Bangladesh as the newest member of the Flying Geese club, The Odds Revisited includes a detailed review of macro and sectoral developments over the last fifty years and provides new material and insights into the rise of Bangladesh''s capitalist class; a socio-economic perspective of the role of Dhaka-based urbanization; and the rise of a new middle class.