Islamism, secularism and post-Islamism

The Muslim world and the case of Bangladesh

Bibliographic Data

ID6233496
AuthorsAkhand Akhtar Hossain (0000-0002-5224-7545, University of Newcastle Australia, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume24
Issue2
Pages214-236
Publication date2016-05-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAsian Journal of Political Science (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0218-5377 • E-ISSN: 1750-7812
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02185377.2016.1185954
OpenAlexW2416331514
LanguageEN
Citations received15
References cited33

This paper provides a historical overview of the emerging post-Islamist phenomenon in the Muslim world and discusses the scope for sustainable democratic politics in Bangladesh. In the process, a model is proposed that purports to exhibit a level of compatibility with the perceived political landscape in Bangladesh. The model adopts a version of the Hotelling–Downs principle of democracy and sets it within the 'post-Islamist' paradigm in such a way that, if it can be implemented, even if only partially, may lead to the sustained political stability of Bangladesh. The paper highlights illiberal and undemocratic practices of the two dominant Bangladeshi political parties as a major feature of the present status quo. These practices dominate Bangladeshi politics through the continuous attempts of their exponents to impose monopolistic views on the various symbols of national identity, despite the multi-racial, multi-religious nature of Bangladesh society. The paper concludes that a democratic system of politics, which accommodates aspects of secularism, language, Muslim identity and post-Islamist 'Islamic ethical–moral–legal codes', remains the feasible political discourse for forming and consolidating the country's multi-racial, multi-religious national identity over the long run and its survival as a sovereign state

Democracy · Development economics · Economics · Islam · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Secularism · Sociology · Sovereignty · Status quo · Asian Studies and History · Bangladesh Politics, Society, and Development · Law · Political Conflict and Governance

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