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Lecture- 3Lecture- 3BD SocietyBD Society and Social Classes and Social Classes

& economy system& economy system

Md. MAHBUBUR RAHMANMd. MAHBUBUR RAHMAN

LecturerLecturer

Center for General Education Center for General Education (CGED) (CGED)

Northern University Bangladesh Northern University Bangladesh (NUB) (NUB)

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IntroductionIntroduction

We all know that Bangladesh is a nation, a We all know that Bangladesh is a nation, a country, a society which has a great history country, a society which has a great history and distinctiveness. Rabindra Nath’s and distinctiveness. Rabindra Nath’s Sonar Sonar Bangla, Bangla, Nazrul’s Nazrul’s Bangladesh Bangladesh and Jibon and Jibon Ananda Das’s Ananda Das’s Ruposhi BanglaRuposhi Bangla all these are the all these are the designations of the country. Many poets, designations of the country. Many poets, singers and authors, since the very beginning, singers and authors, since the very beginning, have been voicing the separate entity of the have been voicing the separate entity of the land as reflected in their poems, songs and land as reflected in their poems, songs and their writings. For its distinctiveness, their writings. For its distinctiveness, Bangladeshi sociologists anthropologists and Bangladeshi sociologists anthropologists and economists are puzzled to identify its societal economists are puzzled to identify its societal nature and the pattern of economy. Again, nature and the pattern of economy. Again, rural society of Bangladesh is distinct from its rural society of Bangladesh is distinct from its urban territory. Accordingly, there are distinct urban territory. Accordingly, there are distinct social classes in rural and urban areas of the social classes in rural and urban areas of the country.country.

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Society and economy of BD:Society and economy of BD:

• The nationality of Bangladesh has emerged The nationality of Bangladesh has emerged from different ethnic groups like, Mongoloid, from different ethnic groups like, Mongoloid, Caucasoid, Aryans, Dravidian, Persian, Caucasoid, Aryans, Dravidian, Persian, Mughol and from many others. We have also Mughol and from many others. We have also more than 33 ethnic groups, they are more than 33 ethnic groups, they are actually Bangladeshi but not Bengali. And actually Bangladeshi but not Bengali. And they have also different and obviously they have also different and obviously distinctive societal and cultural pattern. So, distinctive societal and cultural pattern. So, Our sociologists and anthropologists became Our sociologists and anthropologists became confused to draw back the unique picture of confused to draw back the unique picture of this culture and society.this culture and society.

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Nature of economy in BDNature of economy in BD

• Our nature of economy is also combined and mixed Our nature of economy is also combined and mixed up from different economic basis. We have different up from different economic basis. We have different economic institutions on the basis of varieties economic institutions on the basis of varieties economic forms . We have many economic economic forms . We have many economic institutions, based on socialist features of economy, institutions, based on socialist features of economy, such as many banking sectors, universities, such as many banking sectors, universities, insurance companies that are directed by the insurance companies that are directed by the Government. There are many private sectors in our Government. There are many private sectors in our society like, Private universities, private banking society like, Private universities, private banking sectors, private transportations, insurance sectors, private transportations, insurance companies and many other institutions accelerated companies and many other institutions accelerated by privately. These are the examples of capitalism.by privately. These are the examples of capitalism.

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Nature of economy in Nature of economy in Bangladesh:Bangladesh:

• Along with many economic institutions in Along with many economic institutions in Bangladesh that are executed by the Bangladesh that are executed by the following of Islamic rules and following of Islamic rules and regulations. Like many banking sectors regulations. Like many banking sectors that are following to the Islamic sariah that are following to the Islamic sariah law. As well as many insurance law. As well as many insurance companies, universities also directed by companies, universities also directed by the Islamic rules .So we can say we have the Islamic rules .So we can say we have mixed economy.mixed economy.

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Bangladeshi Type Bangladeshi Type of Societyof Society

• So, What type of society does exist in So, What type of society does exist in Bangladesh? This is quite a burning Bangladesh? This is quite a burning question. There is a great debate to question. There is a great debate to answer to the question. To analyze answer to the question. To analyze critically, we can do this from different critically, we can do this from different perspectives: 1) Sociological / perspectives: 1) Sociological / Anthropological view (measured by Anthropological view (measured by mode of production); 2) Macro level mode of production); 2) Macro level (Measured by labor force); and 3) Micro (Measured by labor force); and 3) Micro Level (measured by the features of Level (measured by the features of peasant household). The above both are peasant household). The above both are the examples of economic point of view.the examples of economic point of view.

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1. Sociological & Anthropological analyses1. Sociological & Anthropological analyses

Since the very beginning, Bangladesh is called Since the very beginning, Bangladesh is called peasant society. However, sociologists and peasant society. However, sociologists and anthropologists give different opinions of its anthropologists give different opinions of its mode of production as follows:mode of production as follows:

1. Feudal, capital and peasant mode of 1. Feudal, capital and peasant mode of

production (Abu Abdullah)production (Abu Abdullah)

2. Semi-Feudal (M. Alamgir)2. Semi-Feudal (M. Alamgir)

3. Semi –feudal and semi-colonial 3. Semi –feudal and semi-colonial

(Anwarullah Chawdhury )(Anwarullah Chawdhury )

4. Feudal and colonial (Westergaard )4. Feudal and colonial (Westergaard )

5. Pre-capital (Van Schendel )5. Pre-capital (Van Schendel )

6. Capital (Jahangir, Akhlakur Rahaman and 6. Capital (Jahangir, Akhlakur Rahaman and

Atiur Rahman)Atiur Rahman)

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2. 2. Macro level Analysis Macro level Analysis (Measured by labor (Measured by labor force)force)

From the view of Macro level, the amount of labor From the view of Macro level, the amount of labor force may be only the indicator of a country to force may be only the indicator of a country to identify if she is an industrial or peasant society. identify if she is an industrial or peasant society. Accordingly, in above 80% of the labor forces in Accordingly, in above 80% of the labor forces in Bangladesh is related to agriculture in accordance Bangladesh is related to agriculture in accordance with the statistics of 19th century. In the present with the statistics of 19th century. In the present time more than 55% labour forces are being used time more than 55% labour forces are being used in this sectors. Moreover, those who are related to in this sectors. Moreover, those who are related to non-agricultural services can't be designated as non-agricultural services can't be designated as non-agricultural.non-agricultural.

For example, though a rickshaw puller lives on his For example, though a rickshaw puller lives on his occupation; his children are strongly linked with occupation; his children are strongly linked with agricultural activities. Even, those who are govt. agricultural activities. Even, those who are govt. and non-govt. employees and live in urban areas and non-govt. employees and live in urban areas such as Dhaka, Chittagong etc. depend partially on such as Dhaka, Chittagong etc. depend partially on the agricultural products provided by their village the agricultural products provided by their village family members. So, we can that BD is a peasant or family members. So, we can that BD is a peasant or agricultural based society.agricultural based society.

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Micro Level (measured by the Micro Level (measured by the features of peasant features of peasant household)household)

From the view of micro level, we can From the view of micro level, we can consider Bangladesh as a peasant consider Bangladesh as a peasant society based on the primary & society based on the primary & secondary features of peasant secondary features of peasant households:households:

Primary Features: Primary Features:

a) Small amount of landa) Small amount of land

b) Family labor in production process b) Family labor in production process is supplied by children, spouse etc.is supplied by children, spouse etc.

c) The basic objective is subsistence c) The basic objective is subsistence productionproduction

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Secondary Features:Secondary Features:

a) Peasants are not agreed to welcome change a) Peasants are not agreed to welcome change

b) Less surplus they tend to make.b) Less surplus they tend to make.

The above features of peasant households of The above features of peasant households of Bangladesh truly prove that the existence of Bangladesh truly prove that the existence of peasantry is more obvious in our country. But, peasantry is more obvious in our country. But, who believe that Bangladesh is a semi- who believe that Bangladesh is a semi- capitalist, semi-feudal society etc. in terms of capitalist, semi-feudal society etc. in terms of mode of production, are not agreed to consider mode of production, are not agreed to consider Bangladesh as a peasant society. Thus, the Bangladesh as a peasant society. Thus, the above features have created a problem of above features have created a problem of identifying BD society. Despite the above identifying BD society. Despite the above controversies, we can conclude that controversies, we can conclude that Bangladesh is a peasant society whether it may Bangladesh is a peasant society whether it may be partially or absolutely. be partially or absolutely. However, recent However, recent changes in BD indicate to the emergence of changes in BD indicate to the emergence of capitalism, no doubt. capitalism, no doubt.

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Social Classes in Bangladeshi Social Classes in Bangladeshi Peasant Society:Peasant Society:

From the very beginning, like the pre From the very beginning, like the pre British period, British period, Pakistani British period, British period, Pakistani period, and after the liberation of period, and after the liberation of Bangladesh, the feature of rural society Bangladesh, the feature of rural society that it is and was divided into many classes that it is and was divided into many classes on the basis of specially status, power, and on the basis of specially status, power, and wealth. Rural society in Bangladesh has wealth. Rural society in Bangladesh has also its own class formation in terms of the also its own class formation in terms of the following events,following events,

1.1. Amount of land, cultivation & water controlAmount of land, cultivation & water control

2.2. Economic Strength & OccupationEconomic Strength & Occupation

3.3. Authority, Coerce & Politics Authority, Coerce & Politics

4.4. Religion, Status, Caste etc. Religion, Status, Caste etc.

5.5. Education, Information and KnowledgeEducation, Information and Knowledge

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1. Social Classes in terms of 1. Social Classes in terms of Amount Amount of land, cultivation & water of land, cultivation & water controlcontrolProminent economists and sociologists Arens & Prominent economists and sociologists Arens &

Beurden (1980) conducted a study in Beurden (1980) conducted a study in “Jhagrapur”“Jhagrapur” through an empirical work and through an empirical work and showed lands as the principal differentiation of showed lands as the principal differentiation of classes. They are as follows:classes. They are as follows:

I.I. Landless and poor peasants (55%): Less than 2 Landless and poor peasants (55%): Less than 2 acres of landacres of land

II.II.Middle peasants (24 %): on an average 4 acres Middle peasants (24 %): on an average 4 acres of landof land

III.III.Rich peasants (21 %): on an average 10 acres Rich peasants (21 %): on an average 10 acres of landof land

IV.IV.Landlords (.05 %): on an average 50 acres of Landlords (.05 %): on an average 50 acres of land”.land”.

[Source: Quoted by Anwarullah Chowdhury et. al,[Source: Quoted by Anwarullah Chowdhury et. al, Changing Changing Agrarian Communities in Bangladesh, 2002: xviiiAgrarian Communities in Bangladesh, 2002: xviii]]

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• Anwarullah Chowdhury mentioned 5 Anwarullah Chowdhury mentioned 5 classes as evident from the table:classes as evident from the table:

Amount of Amount of

LandLandType of Type of

FarmerFarmer%%

No Cultivable No Cultivable

landlandLandlessLandless 38.8538.85

0-1 0-1 MarginalMarginal 40.7640.76

1.1-2 Acres1.1-2 Acres SmallSmall 11.1511.15

2.1-7 Acres2.1-7 Acres MiddleMiddle 7.647.64

Above 7 AcresAbove 7 Acres RichRich 1.591.59

TotalTotal 100100

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2. Social Classes in terms of Economic 2. Social Classes in terms of Economic Strength & OccupationStrength & Occupation

Wilem Ven Schendell mentioned 4 social classes:Wilem Ven Schendell mentioned 4 social classes:

Here, Here, AA= Semi proletarian/small peasants = Semi proletarian/small peasants BB= Middle peasants= Middle peasants

CC= Small Surplus Rich peasants = Small Surplus Rich peasants DD= Large Surplus Rich Peasants= Large Surplus Rich Peasants

RaRammkrishna Mukherjee (1971), in his krishna Mukherjee (1971), in his “Six Villages of Bengal”“Six Villages of Bengal” mmentioned three broad social classes as follows:entioned three broad social classes as follows:

CategoryCategory AA BB CC DD TotalTotal PeriodPeriodGoborgariGoborgari(Rangpur)(Rangpur)

16%16% 32%32% 32%32% 20%20% 100%100%(N=31)(N=31)

1893-1893-19771977

Ghorshal Ghorshal (Bogra)(Bogra)

33%33% 60%60% 7%7% -- 100%100%(N=15)(N=15)

1922-1922-19781978

Dhoneshor Dhoneshor (Comilla)(Comilla)

8%8% 23%23% 21%21% 48%48% 100%100%(N=61)(N=61)

1894-1894-19781978

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Social Classes in terms of Authority, Social Classes in terms of Authority, Coerce & Politics Coerce & Politics

S. Aminul Islam et. al., mentioned S. Aminul Islam et. al., mentioned different social classes in terms of different social classes in terms of power through 4 models on which the power through 4 models on which the following classes are found in rural following classes are found in rural society of BD:society of BD:

1. Union Parishad Chairman and 1. Union Parishad Chairman and

MembersMembers

2. Village Headman2. Village Headman

3. Leader of 3. Leader of GushtiGushti

4. Active and conscious village people 4. Active and conscious village people

of leadership.of leadership.

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Social Classes in terms of Religion, Status & Social Classes in terms of Religion, Status & Caste Caste Karim in his Karim in his Bangladesh Village Bangladesh Village sketched some sketched some

social classes as follows:social classes as follows:

Karim Karim also described the following classes:also described the following classes:

i) Chowdhuries ii) Khundaker iii) Muhuriesi) Chowdhuries ii) Khundaker iii) Muhuries

iv) Bhuyans v) Agriculturists vi) Landless iv) Bhuyans v) Agriculturists vi) Landless

vii) Agricultural laborers viii) Wage earners vii) Agricultural laborers viii) Wage earners

ix) Wood cutters x) Slaves or Ghulams ix) Wood cutters x) Slaves or Ghulams

MuslimsMuslims HindusHindusBaddis (eye-Baddis (eye-surgeons)surgeons)

Upper: Brahmin, KaisthasUpper: Brahmin, Kaisthas

KhuluKhulu Lower: Potters, weavers, Lower: Potters, weavers, laundrymenlaundrymen

Jhola(Weavers)Jhola(Weavers) Scheduled: Carpenters, Scheduled: Carpenters, Fishermen.Fishermen.

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Anwarullah Chowdhury, in his Anwarullah Chowdhury, in his “A “A Bangladesh Village”,Bangladesh Village”, shows the shows the following classes: following classes:

i) Khandans (Upper caste) i) Khandans (Upper caste)

[powerful class][powerful class]

ii) Girhasta (Lower caste)ii) Girhasta (Lower caste)

iii) Scheduled Casteiii) Scheduled Caste

Social Classes in terms of Religion, Status Social Classes in terms of Religion, Status & Caste: Continued & Caste: Continued

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Social Classes in terms of Social Classes in terms of Education, Education, Information and KnowledgeInformation and Knowledge

• Anwarullah Chowdhury, in his “Anwarullah Chowdhury, in his “Changing Changing Agrarian Communities in Bangladesh”, Agrarian Communities in Bangladesh”, mentioned the following classes:mentioned the following classes:

Education LevelEducation Level Baripara (Noakhali)Baripara (Noakhali)Mokam (Comilla)Mokam (Comilla)

IlliterateIlliterate 6.626.62Can read & Can read & writewrite

6.476.47

1-V class1-V class 26.5326.53VI- S.S.C.VI- S.S.C. 29.5929.59H.S.CH.S.C 4.534.53Graduate +Graduate + 2.292.29RestRest 23.2723.27TotalTotal 100100

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Conclusion:Conclusion:

• In the concluding words, we can say In the concluding words, we can say that society and social class in that society and social class in Bangladesh have become more Bangladesh have become more complicated. There are many criterias complicated. There are many criterias that are playing an important role to that are playing an important role to form different social classes. But in the form different social classes. But in the recent past specially education and recent past specially education and politics are playing significant role to politics are playing significant role to categorize social classes in categorize social classes in Bangladesh.Bangladesh.