Cumulative erosion of dynastic politics in Asia.

M A Hossain

The post-Cold War era has formulated an attempt to eradicate dynastic politics in Asia by the Western stakeholders. The fall of socialism boosted the incorporation of the western democratic system by altering and supplanting socialistic, monarchic or autocratic forms of Government around the world. This transition has amalgamated the concept and has filled the void with pseudo-democracy, which manifested the dynastic politics In Asia. In most cases, dynasticism becomes the tool to subdue the dissidents or remain the key to the survival of a leading political party against a split, mass movement, or even the regime itself. It has been seen that dynasties restrict the democratic culture inside the party and the decision-making and even leadership selection become a “family affair”. But, after the Cold War, the Western Governments launched multidimensional approaches to exterminate dynastic politics to reinstate western democracy.

In India, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, a western educated and confidante of western power, resumed the state power from his colonial master. From the post-independence era, the Nehru- Gandhi dynasty has ruled the country most of the time. Since the 2014 'Lok shaba' election, dynastic politics is appearing increasingly fragile. The rapid rise of third parties like Trinamool Congress or' Aam Admi Party (common men party)' are challenging the traditional two-party system. The present ruling party seems a bit compromising to bring non-dynastic opposition in Indian politics.

Political dynasticism in Pakistan was extensive. Trusted west ally Zulfikar Ali Bhutto started the journey of the Pakistan People's Party and which is now being led by his third generation. The only rival, Nawaz Sharif tried to establish his dynasty in politics. But, both dynasties were rejected and a third party like Tehreek-e- Insaf Party (PTI) was installed in the State power.

In Bangladesh, the two major political parties are dynastic, like other well-known parties in Asia. The ruling party, Bangladesh Awami League, and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are being run one-handedly by Sheikh Hasina (Daughter of party founder Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) and Begum Khaleda Zia (the widow of party founder Gen. Ziaur Rahman). In 2007, we saw a “minus two” conspiracy theory by the western power; which albeit failed, but the Western Front is in constant motion to implement course 'B', after the debacle of course 'A'.

In Myanmar, the Aung San dynasty is going to an end. Aung San Suu kyi, daughter of independence hero Aung San, is facing multiple charges under a military-backed Kangaroo court. Former Malaysian Premier Najib Razak, the son of the country's second premier Abdul Razak is currently on trial over the country's largest corruption scandal. In Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, the son-in-law of the former President Suharto was defeated in the polls by Joko Widodo - the first president who does not have any dynastic credentials. 

In the Philippines, fourth-generation politician Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino-lll has nose-dived his popularity over repeated scandals. Current President Rodrigo Duterte has emerged from non-dynastic politics in the Philippines. In Thailand, the coup ended the Government of Yingluck Shinawatra who was seen as the puppet of her brother Thaksin Shinawatra in 2014. It has been prominent that the dynastic politics in Taiwan, South Korea, Japan are also on the verge of extinction. The KMT of Chiang kai- Shek and his son Chiang Ching - kuo, Park Chung -hee and his daughter Park Geun- hye and Shinzō Abe the last prominent prime minister hailing from political 

dynasties have called it time for their political career. 

We have more dynastic intrigues in Cambodia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. In Cambodia, dynasties take the helm of two major political parties. One is Hun Sen and his descendant the other one is Sam Rainsy, the son of a leading political figure from the 1950s, Sam Sary - himself the son of another famous politician from the 1940s, Sam Nhean. In Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong the descendant of Lee kwan Yew has been embroiled in a family feud that has spilled over into politics. In Sri Lanka, the Rajapaksa family holds various important posts in state power. In the Middle East, Assad and Harari's dynasties are under tremendous pressure to be ousted by the Western power.

So, the Western democratic leaderships have, of course, changed since the post—Cold War. The US as a superpower has experienced a rogue regime underrating the democratic values in the hands of Donald Trump which will remain as a nightmare for the world leaders. Then the incumbent President, Mr. Biden, and his allies put all-out efforts to strengthen the democratic values around the world. The West is financing through various channels to educate the voters in Asia as well as to uproot dynasticism. We have experienced the “Arab spring” backed by the western power. At present, the Biden administration has emphasized on civic skills through transparency, voice, and participation. Dynasty is only considered bad when they ignore mass appeal and are seen to represent only their family, not national interest. Therefore, by all means, Dynasticism in Asia may only endure the Western Manoeuvring in the long run, should it proselytise itself towards the welfare of people at large, rather than concentrating on centralisation of authority within the own cabal.

This article has been published at:

1. Modern Ghana, Ghana,18Dec21

2. Kashmir Watch, EU, 18Dec21

3. Review Nepal , Katmandu,18Dec21

4. The Independent,BD:21Dec21

5. The Daily Observer,BD,27Dec21

'I apologize': The beauty of democracy (The victory of people's voice)

M A Hossain

On 19Nov'21, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an announcement to repeal the farm reform laws, which the farmers have been protesting against for more than a year. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) raised three controversial farm laws, which were subsequently approved by the parliament in Sep'20 and which Modi and his party men defended rather vehemently, as aimed at reforming the agriculture sector. Since then, The Government was facing relentless street protests by the farmers, emanating mainly from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh on the borders of Delhi. Hundreds of farmers have sacrificed their valuable lives in this year-long protest. At last, the Head of the State acknowledged the imbroglio caused at the behest of his Government and ate a humble pie to his countrymen. This political maneuver has a significant role in democracy and ushers other democratic nations to learn a lesson in tolerance about dissidents. 

India is the largest democracy in the World. But in the last decade, BJP has exhibited the proclivity for tough and decisive governance. The ruling party leaders, including PM himself, often pointed to its penchant for many firm decisions, like scrapping of Article 370, National Registration of Citizens, Citizenship Amendment Act, demonetization in 2016, etc. The marginalization of minority rights was also fairly prevalent in various corners in India. Subsequently, on 05June'20, BJP Government proposed three farm Laws in the parliament without due consultation with the farmer's organizations, the genuine stakeholders. These three bills were passed in Lok Sabha on 17 September'20 and Rajya Sabha on 20 September'20. More than 40 farmers' organizations were united to form "Kisan morcha" and have been protesting to repeal these bills since 25 Nov'20 from Punjab and Haryana. Later, this agitation was fanned out in Goa, Uttar Pradesh. Since then, the Government has been sitting for an amicable resolution vis-à-vis with the farmers' organizations, on as many as seven occasions. In the end, Mr. Modi has taken the right decision at the right time to win over popular perceptions for electoral politics in a democratic manner. 

Every spare of the analysis has pointed out the trumps of electoral politics over economic developments. That is partially true because The fresh assembly polls are going to be held in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Goa next February. But the indomitable agitation of farmers erupted and diverged from these states. Very recently, the saffron party has seen poor performance in four by-polls in these States. Now BJP leadership wants to put the coming round of assembly polls as an acid test ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. 

On the other hand, Modi's gestures and political wit have a magnanimous impact on democratic culture. Since Modi first assumed the office in 2014, his political gesture has been indicative of a tough, unyielding, authoritarian strongman who does not bow to people's voices. The way Mr. Modi's popularity was skyrocketing, many political pundits were anticipating an India sliding towards authoritarianism. But now, BJP wants to achieve the “soft vote” of Sikh farmers, who all are the core strength of this protest, by announcing the decision to withdraw the laws on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. Mr. Modi does not want to leave a space for the Khalistan movement amid the deterioration of Maoists, seven sisters, Kashmir scenarios internally and externally the China, Pakistan or foreign radical groups. So, Modi's climb down is seen by most analysts as a strategic political maneuver to contain the political pressure and win on crisis opportunity theory.

It is said that democracy is arguably the best among the worst systems of governance. Modi's move was hailed as a much-needed triumph of democracy where dissidents are honored. This flagrant example should be practiced by other democratic nations. In Bangladesh, for example, experts are concerned about Sundarban for the Rampal coal power plant or Digital Security Act (DSA). Vessel movements will disrupt the biodiversity and pollute the environment of Sundarban. The journalists have been raising their voices against DSA and appalling for their freedom of expression. Now if the Government takes the lessons from the recent political maneuver in India, then the Government must pay attention to people's voices, which are directly related to the policy. And that is where lies the beauty of democracy.

This. article published at:

1. Modern Ghana,Ghana, 01Dec21

2. Review Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal, 30Nov21