What is it about?
This chapter examines how democracy, trade, and sustainability interact in the context of Bangladesh’s garment industry, one of the largest in the world. While many studies assume that democracy automatically drives economic growth and better trade performance, our analysis challenges this assumption. Using the garment sector as a case study, we show that a dysfunctional democracy, without the right policies and state involvement, can actually slow down industrial development.
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Photo by Marija Zaric on Unsplash
Why is it important?
The garment industry is the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, employing millions and driving export growth. But questions remain about how democratic governance affects not just growth, but also sustainability and workers’ welfare. By unpacking the link between democracy and trade performance, this study highlights the need for stronger, more inclusive policies that combine economic progress with social and environmental responsibility.
Perspectives
As someone with close ties to Bangladesh, I have seen first-hand how the garment industry transforms lives, while also creating challenges around working conditions and sustainability. This research gave me the chance to critically examine the role of democracy in supporting or hindering that progress. My hope is that it sparks a more nuanced discussion: democracy alone is not enough, it must be paired with effective governance and sustainable policies to deliver real benefits for both people and the planet.
Dr Krish Saha
Birmingham City University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Democracy, sustainability, and economic growth, November 2019, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.4324/9780429325144-9.
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