Bangladesh: A cautionary tale

Economic difficulties are exposing political flaws

The massive rally held by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Dhaka last week marked a return of the principal opposition to the ruling Awami League after almost a decade in the wilderness. The huge popular support at this and similar recent mobilisations in other towns across the country offers leaders of emerging economies a cautionary tale in the limits of authoritarian democracy. For the past decade and a half, Bangladesh has been the poster child, powering economic growth by linking its democratic dividend to global supply chains, especially for readymade garments. On almost every parameter, Bangladesh has stood out.