Political violence has been an intrinsic part of democratic politics in Bangladesh. Through different case studies this research project tries to understand the role of violence in the making of public order in Bangladesh.

This entails a number of more structural conceptualizations (e.g. of Bangladesh as a party-state), but also stresses the performative dimensions of political violence in the country. Research has so far been carried out in Dhaka and Chittagong.

Case studies include the organization of hartal (general strikes), student politics, as well as the political economy of land control.

• Contact: Bert Suykens