Ali Riaz

BLACK, WHITE & GREY

Ali Riaz is a distinguished professor of political science at Illinois State University (ISU), and a Nonresident Senior Fellow of the Atlantic Council. His recent publication is entitled “Voting in a Hybrid Regime: Explaining the 2018 Bangladeshi Election” (2019).

Bertelsmann Transformation Index 2024: Another indictment of Bangladesh’s state of governance

Bangladesh, since 2018, has been classified as a 'moderate autocracy.'

5d ago

The rise of personalistic autocracy: What should we do?

Since the middle of the 2000s, the world has witnessed a precipitous decline in democratic countries. After almost three decades of proliferation of democratic governance, described by Samuel Huntington as the Third Wave of democracy, the third reverse wave is sweeping the globe.

What democracy indices say about Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s declining score in the EIU Democracy Index should provide an opportunity to discuss not only how EIU has rated Bangladesh, but also how others have characterised the country’s state of democracy—or lack thereof.

The Great Game will continue

The absence of democratic behaviour is no longer hidden under the carpet.

What comes after January 7?

If AL’s victory in the 2014 election was a hollow one, the 2024 victory in the making is nothing short of a Pyrrhic one—a victory which inflicts so much damage that it cannot be considered worthwhile.

Elections without choice: A leaf out of autocrats’ playbook

As the country is heading towards an exercise that the incumbent is calling an election, it is imperative that we understand what is in the making.

EC’s act is ‘an improbable fiction’

The EC’s action has already contributed to the deterioration of the political situation, and it will continue to reverberate in the coming days.

Reading Donald Lu’s letter, intently

Is there a connection between India’s clarification of its policy and Lu’s letter?

June 7, 2023
June 7, 2023

What the law minister's DSA statement reveals

Until now, there was no account from the government that provided a picture on the extent of the use of the law.

April 9, 2023
April 9, 2023

Government’s stubborn attitude on DSA sends ominous signal

The government is not taking OHCHR recommendations about the law into account.

March 30, 2023
March 30, 2023

Persecution of journalists: Condemnation isn’t enough

It is our moral duty to condemn the arrest of Samsuzzaman Shams and demand his immediate release.

January 19, 2023
January 19, 2023

Lu’s visit: Old message, only louder

Secretary Lu’s visit, against these backgrounds, reiterated the message of the past year that the US would like to see a fair and inclusive election in Bangladesh and that it is concerned about the shrinking civic space.

January 1, 2023
January 1, 2023

What is in store for the new year?

Looking back at 2022, experts on the South Asian political and economic landscape would highlight the ongoing economic crisis for understandable reasons.

December 10, 2022
December 10, 2022

One Year of US Sanctions: Denial and Defiance

The government has not only curtailed freedom of expression and assembly, but it has also used state institutions to silence its critics and political opponents in a brutal manner.

November 10, 2022
November 10, 2022

Remember what Noor Hossain died for

It is imperative that we pay respect to him but what we need to recall is what was written on his bare chest and back, writes Ali Riaz.

November 4, 2022
November 4, 2022

A constitution without constitutionalism?

The celebration of the 50th anniversary of the adoption of Bangladesh Constitution provides an opportunity to examine whether the country practised constitutionalism since the constitution came into effect.

September 2, 2022
September 2, 2022

Citizens’ fundamental rights are not the executive’s choice

Can citizens be told that their rights are now available because the executive branch of the state is offering them as a gift?

August 4, 2022
August 4, 2022

Why is Bangladesh seeking IMF support in the first place?

As Bangladesh, facing an unprecedented economic crisis, has entered a negotiation with the IMF for a USD 4.5 billion loan package, a few discussions have ensued in the country.

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