Publication Date
2024
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
First Advisor
Porisky, Alesha D.
Degree Name
M.A. (Master of Arts)
Legacy Department
Department of Political Science
Abstract
Why do authoritarian regimes in the global south expand social assistance programs when electoral competition is absent? What are the driving factors behind their willingness to adopt and expand pro-poor social assistance programs? To answer this question in the context of Bangladesh, I did a secondary qualitative analysis to unfold the puzzle of social assistance expansion in Bangladesh. I explored existing literature and tested those in the case of Bangladesh by analyzing existing literature on Bangladesh, as well as data and documents in order to solve the puzzle. I find that, even though electoral competition is absent, the current regime uses social assistance to control the grassroots political environment to avoid potential threats of political and social unrest. I also find that legitimacy and expansions are a way to serve political loyalty, gain popular legitimacy, and convey mandates of development. The expansions also minimize the possibility of grievance in ultra-poor coastal areas affected by natural calamities.
Recommended Citation
Tamanna, Sumaya, "The Expansion of Social Assistance Programs: the Politics of Development in Bangladesh" (2024). Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations. 7988.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/allgraduate-thesesdissertations/7988
Extent
82 pages
Language
en
Publisher
Northern Illinois University
Rights Statement
In Copyright
Rights Statement 2
NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.
Media Type
Text
