Development or dispossession? An interpretation of global integration of public sector jute mills in Bangladesh

Fahreen Alamgir, George Cairns

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1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to discuss the discourse of globalisation and its implications in the case of state-owned jute mills (SOJMs) in the post-colonial state of Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approach – The authors draw upon a critical debate on the concept of globalisation and critical political economy to revisit the country’s historical, political, social and cultural construction to discuss conditions of its conformity within the global order. Additionally, the perspective of subaltern studies underpins discussion of the context of the post-colonial state. Findings – A schematic analysis of the context surfaces issues that underpin the process of “truth production” and that have contributed to global integration of the Bangladesh economy. We consider how this discourse benefts some people, while over time, the majority are dislocated, excluded and deprived. Hence, this discourse denotes a territorial power of globalism that leads us to conceptualise Bangladesh as a neo-colonial state.Originality/value – Through a case study of SOJMs, this paper contributes to discussion on the essence and implicationsofthe globalisation discourse andon how its methods and techniques reinforce hegemony in the name of development and sustainability in the forms of liberalisation, democratisation and good governance in a state like Bangladesh.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)207-223
Number of pages17
JournalCritical Perspectives on International Business
Volume10
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Globalisation
  • Post- and neo-colonial
  • State-owned jute mills
  • Subaltern studies

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