Tajkiya Ahmad
Thesis Title: The case of Bangladesh’s superficial development - Why has the country’s economic growth been the catalyst for working class underdevelopment?
Bangladesh is often seen as an example of a developing country well on its way out of poverty through rapid and consistent economic growth. With the country’s ready-made garment industry playing a major role in transforming Bangladesh into the second largest global garments exporter, this economic growth would normally translate into improved living standards of the working class. In reality, the country has suffered from a paradox of promising economic growth accompanied by persistent wealth inequality molded by symbolic improvements within the middle class and a rise in precarious labor. This study will investigate why development has not extended to the working class which continues to survive under the national living wage.
It is hypothesized that the line between the capitalist elites and the state may be blurred to the degree that a co-constitutive relationship between the two actively perpetuates working class repression to sustain an economy that relies on cheap labor. A facade of false progressive narratives seems to have been built amidst the promotion of objective development focused on the provision of services and resources, rather than social mobilization. This research will study Bangladesh’s formative years as the inception point of its development journey, and re-center the role of the state and capitalist elite to provide a novel account of the nation's struggle. By historicizing labor welfare abuse within the RMG industry, and subsequently examining labor regimes, the study will challenge established narratives of exploitation. The research will then explore the potential for a labor-led development alternative.
Biography
I am currently undertaking the University of Nottingham’s MA in Social Science Research as part of an ESRC-funded 1+3 studentship in Politics and International Relations. I have previously studied a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, with minors in Gender Studies and Development Studies, at the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh, as well as an MA in International Relations at the University of Sussex. Prior to arriving in Nottingham, I worked as a Chief Teaching Fellow and Graduate Program Coordinator at the Asian University for Women where I helped design and implement the university’s inaugural MA in Education program.
My primary research interests lie in the intersection of politics, international political economy and development. I am particularly interested in the nature of class and social-property relations in tailoring development and economic growth and have carried out several research projects in that area. Both my professional and academic careers have been dedicated towards better understanding and positively contributing to labor welfare and social development.
Other Research Interests
International Relations Theory, Global Value Chains, Labor-Led Development Theory, Political Marxism, Historical Sociology.
Political Science & International Relations
University of Nottingham
2022 Cohort, 1+3
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tajkiya-ahmad/
Supervisory Team
Prof Andreas Bieler
Dr Chun-Yi Lee