ISSN: 2222-6990
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This paper investigates the authoritarian shift in Bangladesh under the Awami League’s uninterrupted rule from 2009 to 2024 and its implications for long-term political sustainability. Drawing on theoretical frameworks of authoritarianism and empirical evidence, the study argues that the ruling regime has systematically dismantled democratic institutions, captured the judiciary and election commission, and silenced dissent through legal and extralegal means. The centralization of power around Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, combined with dynastic politics, extremely biased civil society, and a highly politicized civil-military bureaucracy, has undermined electoral credibility and public trust. As opposition voices are suppressed and governance becomes increasingly personalized, the political system shows signs of fragility, despite outward claims of stability. The study concludes that without meaningful institutional reform, civic engagement, and international pressure, Bangladesh’s current trajectory may lead to deeper democratic erosion, hindering the country’s capacity for inclusive, accountable, and sustainable political governance.
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