Development of International Relations at the Periphery: The Case of Bangladesh

Abstract

International Relations (IR) is no longer considered as an academic discipline that analyzes the major powers or great powers' activities only. From its Cold War content of emphasizing on traditional state-centric security, it has traversed a long way to expand its subject matter. Similarly, smaller nations and their imprints on international politics are also emerging as a significant area of inquiry in IR. This article seeks to contribute to this inquiry by discussing Bangladesh's rising significance and how academic IR addresses this issue. It traces the history of IR in Bangladesh as well as its gradual expansion. It discusses the growth of IR as an academic discipline at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, that gradually led to the development of IR studies in other parts of the country. The article documents this growth, which is the first of its kind to trace the rise and development of IR in Bangladesh. It therefore fulfils the lacuna in understanding how and where the growth of IR took place in a non-western country.One might contend what is the relevance of studying IR in Bangladesh. The article argues that despite being physically small, academic IR has generated interest in Bangladesh due to the changing geostrategic significance of the country. The article outlines the rising geopolitical significance of Bangladesh where great powers are interested to come and be a part of Bangladesh's development. It is in this context, the study of IR becomes more pertinent in Bangladesh.

Bangabandhu’s Bangladesh Foreign Policy

“…The field of International Relations has been predominantly concerned with War and Military Security, both in theoretical and practical terms, over the course of several decades. This has led to a perception of other countries as potential competitors, resulting in a persistent threat perception and the consequent preparation for defense against other nations [13]. The competition among states for power and prestige has created a security dilemma, leading to a disproportionate allocation of resources towards military spending, despite the existence of pressing global issues such as poverty, hunger, health challenges, and malnutrition.…”

The Cold War and Africa’s Political Culture

“…Recent studies have also explored international relations and foreign policy in non-Western nations. For example, Yasmin [2019] examines how international relations have evolved in Bangladesh during the past several years, and notes that the developmental strides made by Bangladesh have contributed to the rising significance of the country after its unpleasant experiences during the Cold War.…”