What are some of the commonalities and differences between Bangladesh and Pakistan in their democratic experiences ?
(i) The majority population in both these countries are muslim.
(ii) There have been military take over in both countries from time to time.
(iii) There have been pro-democracy movements in both the countries.
Differences:
(i) The United States and the Western countries have encouraged military’s authoritarian rule in Pakistan in the past, for their own reasons. While it is not true for Bangladesh.
(ii) Pakistan has nuclear arsenals but Bangladesh is without it.
(iii) Pakistan is considered to be protector of western interests in West Asia and South Asia.
(iv) Bangladesh has declared its faith in secularism, democracy and socialism in its constitution and Pakistan still remains a Islamic State. The representative democracy based on multi-party elections has been working in Bangladesh since 1991. In case of Pakistan democratic government has been functioning since the downfall of President Parvez Musharaff.
