ABSTRACT
The chapter examines the nature and extent of inclusiveness of Bangladesh’s development since independence and identifies future challenges. The analysis neither treats these as mutually exclusive nor as causes or symptoms. There exist issues in social, cultural and political processes which emerge as important ingredients of both the processes and outcomes covering historical aspects and inter-generational dimensions. The country’s unequal development process has also been fueled by democratic deficit under the powerful neoliberal regime. The tendency is towards inequality in every sphere of life, and the structural process itself compels the state to remain strongly biased towards the rich and powerful elite. The state’s ‘elite capture’ has also created significant democratic deficit in Bangladesh. The key is to ensure fair and equitable representation of all in political, state, economic and social institutions by abolishing all forms of discrimination in society. While not undermining the critical importance of other dimensions, the chapter identifies the labour market and its dynamics as the critical entry point for strengthening the process of inclusive development in Bangladesh.
