Power, patronage and subsistence activities in rural Bangladesh: a case study
Karim, A.H.M.Z.; Sadeque, S.Z.
Journal of Social Research Ranchi 30(1/2): 49-57
1987
Document Number: 357318
This paper examines leadership in rural Bangladesh as it relates to the economic activities of the community. It is argued that the power structures of contemporary Bangladeshi rural society displays two conflicting but co-existing tendencies: a pattern based on relatively traditional patronage and one associated with modern patronage. These two forms of patronage bind the landless, marginal and poor peasants to the relatively wealthier households. The resulting paternalism based on patronage creates a web of dependence between the rural wealthy, often the formal and informal leaders of the community, and the landless, land-poor and marginal peasants. In an impoverished peasant society, when land becomes scarce, subsistence activities often depend upon patronage. This is illustrated by two rural case studies. Development programmes aimed at improving the living standards and socioeconomic position of the rural poor should note their powerful relationships.