How do nations really grow—and who makes it happen?
In this second part of our discussion on Gambling on Development by Stefan Dercon, Shakil Ahmad and Towheed Elahi go beyond the book to explore the hidden political and economic bargains shaping Bangladesh and the developing world.
🔹 Key Highlights / মূল আলোচ্য বিষয়:
Towheed Elahi bhai reveals, with facts, how the RMG sector found Bangladesh—not the other way around — who started it, and how it grew from foreign links and local determination.
Protest & Unity (একতা ও বিক্ষোভ): Why a nation’s elites—politicians, bureaucrats, military, media, and academia—must align for national benefit.
Economic Metaphors (অর্থনৈতিক উপমা): China as the dragon, Indonesia & Bangladesh as tiger cubs, Africa’s hippopotamus economies—vivid symbols of growth and stagnation.
Clientelism & Patronage (পৃষ্ঠপোষকতা ও দুর্নীতি): How rent-seeking and favor networks hold nations back.
African Economies (আফ্রিকার অর্থনীতি): Sierra Leone, Malawi, Kenya, Uganda & Nigeria — struggles with corruption and aid dependency.
Bangladesh’s Garment Industry (বাংলাদেশের গার্মেন্ট খাত): Its critical role in growth and the power of remittances.
NGOs & Public Services (এনজিও ও জনসেবা): Education, health, and sanitation beyond government capacity.
Future of Bangladesh (ভবিষ্যৎ দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি): Why aligning elite interests with national goals is the next great challenge.
🎧 Whether you’re interested in development economics, political governance, or Bangladesh’s growth story, this episode connects history, data, and candid insights. Listen to Between Lines and Lands anywhere you get your podcasts!
🌐 Website: betweenlinesandlands.com
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👇 Tell us in the comments: What do you think is the real engine of Bangladesh’s development?
