ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the political economic realities that shape the development of educational systems in Bangladesh and the United States. It discusses the relationship between the structural realities and education, to understand better the acceptance and rejection of academic–community projects as tools and solutions for sustained social change in both geopolitical locations. The chapter also discusses the existing literature focused on US and Bangladeshi higher educational systems and their contested relationship to politics, youth and social change. Formalized higher education in Bangladesh started through the inception of the University of Dhaka in 1921 during British rule, adding to the list of higher education institutions via the University Grants Commission that rested in University of Kolkata. Globalization was viewed as being the panacea for achieving economic growth and so the entire funding for the development and flourishing of the private higher educational sector in Bangladesh was secured from international financial institutions led by the World Bank.
