Popular Uprising Brings Regime Changes,but Democratic Institutions Determine Survival of Democracy (in Bangladesh)

Abstract

When the news rushed around the world on 5 August 2024 that Sheikh Hasina stepped down as prime minister amid massive protests in Dhaka, the global community took it as a surprise. Eventually, she failed to perceive a clear sign of her imminent downfall. This article addresses the gap in understanding how Bangladesh’s democratic institutions navigate the gulf between regime changes and resilient political institutions that form a stable democracy. This examines institutional frameworks and political dynamics, exploring the challenges to democracy during regime transitions. This article analyses political transitions and institutional structures in Bangladesh using a qualitative methodology, using secondary data from literature, reports and media sources to examine the role of popular uprisings and the strength of democratic institutions. Bangladesh is experiencing a crucial democratic transition, and weak institutions pose a risk of instability and the influence of non-state actors. A caretaker government is seen as a way to revive political competition, but rising social and religious tensions threaten stability. Sustaining democracy depends on strengthening institutions and governance, ensuring resilience against unrest, and fostering a credible system to restore public confidence. This article concludes that popular uprisings can trigger regime changes, but the survival of democracy depends on robust and resilient democratic institutions.

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