Abstract
Based on the institutional approach, John Kingdon’s agenda setting model and Howlett and Ramesh’s concept of actors and institutions in the policy process a conceptual framework has been developed for the study. This chapter argues that both rule-based and historical institutionalism are important to understand women’s political participation. Rules shape the structure of an institution, in turn creating an environment where women can easily take part and be involved within the political process or not. On the other hand, a historical view of institutions conveys more information regarding the history of the local government bodies. It is also argued that the problem stream, policy stream, and political stream came together to open a new window for the government, based on which the government responded positively by enactment of the 1997 reform. It is again argued that different State, societal and international actors (the government, the political parties, women’s organizations, NGOs, and donor agencies), and the impact of international conventions created pressure on the process of enactment of the Act of 1997. In addition to theoretical discussion, this chapter operationalizes core concepts of the research, including women’s political participation, reforms and institutional change, and different actors.
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Notes
- 1.
For more detail about ideologies of political parties in Bangladesh, please refer to Chap. 4.
- 2.
The concept of “citizenship” can trace its roots in Western philosophical thinking outlined by the “two great citizenship traditions:” liberal and republican. These traditions have been discussed in different ways over certain periods of time in libertarian and communitarian variations (Kabeer 2002). While dealing with the issue of conceptualization of “citizenship,” Jones and Gaventa (2002) identified the liberal, communitarian, and civil republican as the three main trends for the discussion of the concept. According to liberal theorists, citizenship is a status granted by the state that permits individuals to exercise specific sets of universal rights (Gaventa 2002). Meanwhile, the notion of a socially embedded citizen and community belongingness is the main focus of communitarian theorists about citizenship. They believe that the realization of interests and identity of an individual can only be defined in terms of his/her belongingness to the community (Jones and Gaventa 2002). Finally, the rights and obligations of citizens to participate in political affairs have been emphasized by civic republicans who see citizenship as “practice” (Kabeer 2002).
- 3.
“Awareness Building about women's situation, discrimination, and rights and opportunities as a step toward greater equality. Capacity Building and skills development, especially ability to plan, make decisions, organize, and manage and carry out activities, to deal with people and institutions in the world around them. Participation and greater control and decision-making power in the home, community, and society. Action to bring about greater equality between men and women” (Karl 1995, p. 14).
- 4.
Mastans are groups of killers, extortionists, looters, and perpetrators of violent crimes who work under the direction of so-called political godfathers (Rashiduzzaman 2001). This group of people is used by the politicians for winning elections, influencing local people, and threatening their oppositions.
- 5.
The degree of institutionalization determines the nature of the process by which MPs are recruited. Thus, a high degree of institutionalization denotes a more rule-oriented process (Norris and Lovenduski 1995). In fact, highly institutionalized parties provide potential MPs, especially those without ties to the power center, with a set of understandable rules. Czudnowski (1975) stated that the more institutionalized the selection process, the easier it is for any outsider to understand how the selection process works. In addition, party leaders have less leeway to bend the rules in favor of certain candidates under institutionalization. Meanwhile, weakly institutionalized parties tend to bias candidate nomination in favor of those who have accumulated “personal political capital” and resources based on personal status or external group support (Guadagnini 1993). Thus, being newcomers to parties, women may have fewer resources and might find it more difficult to catch up with established men.
- 6.
Scholars like Lovenduski and Norris (1993) deemed that a localized nomination is more hospitable for women, because they are likely to work in community politics and may work their way up to the national level.
- 7.
Naripokkho, ASK, BNPS, and NUS are the leading WOs in Bangladesh.
- 8.
Grameen Bank, Proshika, ASA, and BRAC are the leading NGOs in Bangladesh.
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Panday, P.K. (2013). Conceptual Discourses. In: Women’s Political Participation in Bangladesh. Springer, India. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1272-0_2
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