25/06/2026
Bangladesh Sociology : Past, Present and Future
Meeting Details
đź“… Date: June 21, 2026
⏰ Time: 1:09 PM – 3:00 PM (1 hour 51 minutes)
đź“Ť Topic: Bangladesh Sociology: Past, Present and Future
Executive Summary
This seminar explored the evolution, current state, and future trajectory of sociology in Bangladesh. The discussion centered on developing a distinctive Bangladeshi sociological tradition that moves beyond Western-centric frameworks while addressing decolonization, local socio-political contexts, and geopolitical positioning. Academics, researchers, and practitioners came together to envision how sociology in Bangladesh can become more self-reliant, locally grounded, and globally relevant.
Core Theoretical Frameworks Discussed
• Decolonization of sociology – Shifting from Western theoretical models toward locally grounded, context-sensitive sociological frameworks
• Southern sociology / Global South sociology – Developing sociological knowledge that reflects the realities of countries in the Global South, including Bangladesh
• Epistemic inequality – A concept referenced in relation to Julian Gore, describing how colonial and imperial structures have shaped and limited knowledge production
• Neo-Marxism and Orthodox Marxism – Theoretical traditions discussed in relation to key Bangladeshi sociologists and their intellectual contributions
• Sociology in praxis – Applying sociological theory directly to social practice and policy, rather than confining it to academia
• World-systems theory and dependency theory – Referenced in discussions of development, underdevelopment, and Bangladesh's position within global economic and political structures
• Coloniality and decoloniality – Frameworks for understanding how colonial legacies continue to shape social, political, and academic institutions in Bangladesh
• Public sociology – Making sociological knowledge accessible and relevant to rural communities, women, and marginalized groups
Critical Questions Explored
• How can Bangladesh develop a distinctive, self-reliant sociological tradition rather than simply borrowing from Western or other foreign frameworks?
• What role does decolonization play in reshaping sociology curricula and research agendas in Bangladesh?
• How does the politicization of academic disciplines, including sociology, affect the quality and independence of sociological inquiry?
• What is the relationship between elite capture of academic institutions and sociology's commitment to social justice?
• How can Bangladeshi sociologists contribute meaningfully to global sociological debates, given the country's strategic position between India and China?
• What institutional and structural changes are needed to establish credible, internationally recognized sociology journals and publications in Bangladesh?
• How should sociology education in Bangladesh be reformed to balance theoretical rigor with practical, context-relevant application?
Key Insights and Learning Outcomes
Major Takeaways
• Bangladesh sociology has a rich but underexplored intellectual history, with key figures such as Professor Saduddin making foundational contributions to the discipline
• The discipline has been shaped by both Marxist and liberal intellectual traditions, with ongoing debate about which frameworks best suit understanding Bangladeshi society
• Decolonization is not monolithic—it requires localizing knowledge, developing indigenous theoretical frameworks, and critically engaging with (not simply rejecting) Western paradigms
• Politicization of academic institutions poses a significant challenge to developing independent, rigorous sociological inquiry in Bangladesh
• Bangladesh's geopolitical position—between India and China, at the center of emerging Global South dynamics—makes it a uniquely important site for sociological theory-building and global analysis
• There is urgent need for dedicated Bangladeshi sociology journals, textbooks, and publication platforms to institutionalize and disseminate locally produced knowledge
• Sociology in Bangladesh must engage more actively with public and community concerns: rural development, gender, marginalization, and urban change
• The rise of artificial intelligence and technological transformation presents both challenges and new opportunities for sociological inquiry
• Younger generations of Bangladeshi sociologists are encouraged to lead in building the discipline's future through research, publication, and institutional development
1. Historical Development of Sociology in Bangladesh
Evolution and Foundations
Sociology in Bangladesh has evolved through several intellectual phases, drawing on both indigenous traditions and imported theoretical frameworks. Early contributors, particularly Professor Saduddin, played a foundational role in establishing sociology as an academic field at Dhaka University, which has historically served as the central hub for sociological education and research in the country.
Key figures engaged with diverse theoretical traditions—Orthodox Marxism, Neo-Marxism, and liberal sociology—reflecting broader ideological debates of the post-independence period. The discipline was significantly shaped by the political and social context of Bangladesh's emergence as an independent nation.
Sociologists of that era attempted to connect theory with praxis, applying sociological insights to questions of national development, agrarian change, and social stratification. However, the discipline has also been marked by insularity, with Dhaka University's sociology department functioning as an elite center that didn't always engage with the broader population or with sociologists in other institutions across the country.
Key Discussion Points
Q: What was the theoretical orientation of early Bangladeshi sociologists such as Professor Saduddin?
Professor Saduddin had an anti-imperialist orientation, engaging critically with sociology in praxis rather than purely in theory. He applied sociological knowledge to real social conditions in Bangladesh, contributing to a distinctive intellectual tradition within the discipline.
Q: Was the development of sociology primarily centered on Dhaka University?
Yes, Dhaka University has been the central institution for sociology in Bangladesh. However, this has created elitism within the discipline. Scholars in other universities and regions have also made important contributions that deserve greater recognition.
2. Decolonization and Developing Distinctive Bangladeshi Sociology
The Decolonization Imperative
A central theme was the need to decolonize sociology in Bangladesh—moving beyond uncritical adoption of Western theoretical frameworks toward sociological knowledge grounded in Bangladesh's specific historical, cultural, and social realities and the broader Global South context.
Participants referenced the concept of epistemic inequality (associated with Julian Gore) to describe how colonial and imperial structures have historically privileged Western knowledge systems while marginalizing non-Western intellectual traditions.
Shamsul and Shahadat emphasized that decolonization should not mean simple rejection of Western sociology, but rather critical engagement, localization, and development of new theoretical tools suited to the Bangladeshi context. Comparisons were drawn to other Global South sociologies:
• Iran – Ali Shariati's work as an example of distinctive national sociology
• Vietnam – Development of strong national sociology journals
• India – Established sociological traditions engaging with global debates
Structural Barriers
Participants highlighted significant obstacles to decolonization:
• University promotion criteria prioritizing publication in international (predominantly Western) journals
• Absence of a strong, internationally recognized Bangladeshi sociology journal
• Dominance of market-oriented approaches to education prioritizing practical skills over critical sociological thinking
Critical Dialogue
Q: Is decolonization of sociology achievable given structural constraints in Bangladesh?
Shamsul acknowledged that structural barriers are real and significant, but argued that decolonization is not monolithic and doesn't require a complete institutional break. Rather, it involves localizing knowledge, developing indigenous frameworks, and working within and around institutional constraints to build a more self-reliant sociological tradition.
Q: Why hasn't Bangladesh established a strong, internationally recognized sociology journal?
Participants pointed to structural and institutional factors: university promotion criteria in Bangladesh don't adequately reward publication in local journals, creating a disincentive for scholars to invest in building domestic publication platforms. This contrasts with countries like Vietnam and India, which have developed stronger national sociology journals.
3. Bangladesh's Geopolitical Position and Global Sociology
Strategic Positioning
Several participants highlighted Bangladesh's unique geopolitical position as a factor making it an increasingly important site for sociological theory-building and global analysis.
Geopolitical Significance
Situated between India and China—two rising powers reshaping the global order—Bangladesh occupies a strategic location within South Asia and the broader Global South. This positioning makes Bangladesh relevant not only to regional sociology but also to global debates about:
• The rise of new superpowers
• Changing patterns of development
• Reconfiguration of international relations
Shahadat argued that as China's global influence grows and the world order shifts away from Western hegemony, countries like Bangladesh become critical vantage points for understanding these transformations. Bangladeshi sociologists are well-placed to contribute to global conversations about development, underdevelopment, coloniality, and Global South sociology—provided the discipline invests in building its own theoretical and institutional infrastructure.
Discussion Highlights
Q: Why is Bangladesh's geopolitical position significant for sociology?
Shahadat explained that Bangladesh's location between India and China, combined with its experience of development, underdevelopment, and colonial legacies, makes it uniquely important for understanding global political and economic transformations. As China rises as a superpower and the global order shifts, Bangladesh could serve as a key site for building new sociological theories relevant to the Global South.
Q: Can Bangladesh contribute to global sociological debates, or is it primarily a recipient of knowledge?
Participants were optimistic that Bangladesh can and should contribute to global sociology. The country's social complexity, its position within South Asian and global dynamics, and the quality of its sociological graduates provide a strong foundation for making original contributions to international sociological debates.
4. Challenges and Future Directions
Current Challenges
The seminar concluded with a forward-looking discussion identifying key obstacles:
• Politicization of academic institutions
• Dominance of market-oriented approaches to education
• Lack of strong publication platforms
• Difficulty developing a distinctive sociological tradition amid structural and institutional constraints
Opportunities and Optimism
Despite challenges, participants expressed cautious optimism about the future, pointing to:
• Growing number of well-trained sociology graduates
• Increasing availability of online resources and global academic networks
• Potential for technology—including artificial intelligence—to open new avenues for sociological research and engagement
• Role of online platforms and social media in disseminating sociological knowledge beyond traditional academic channels
Priority Research Areas
Shahadat emphasized particularly promising areas for future development:
Research Area Focus
City Studies Urban transformation and development
Sociology of Law and Justice Legal systems and social justice
Political Sociology Power structures and political dynamics
Geopolitics Bangladesh's position between India and China
Technology and AI Intersection of sociology with artificial intelligence and technological change
Participants called on younger generations of Bangladeshi sociologists to take leadership in building the discipline's future by developing new textbooks and curricula grounded in the Bangladeshi context and contributing to the establishment of a recognized Bangladeshi sociological tradition.
Discussion: Path Forward
Q: What are the most promising areas for future sociological research in Bangladesh?
Shamsul identified city studies, sociology of law and justice, political sociology, and geopolitics—particularly regarding Bangladesh's position between India and China—as especially important. The intersection of sociology with artificial intelligence and technological change was also highlighted as a growing area of relevance.
Q: How can sociology in Bangladesh become more relevant to ordinary people and marginalized communities?
Participants emphasized the importance of public sociology—making sociological knowledge accessible to rural communities, women, and marginalized groups. They stressed the need to develop sociology curricula and research agendas addressing concrete social issues facing Bangladeshi society, rather than focusing exclusively on abstract theoretical debates.
Action Items and Next Steps
Recommended Actions
1. Develop and publish sociology textbooks and course materials grounded in the Bangladeshi context, moving beyond reliance on Western introductory texts such as Anthony Giddens
2. Work toward establishing a credible, internationally recognized sociology journal in Bangladesh to provide a platform for locally produced sociological knowledge
3. Continue and expand the online seminar platform as a space for ongoing dialogue among Bangladeshi sociologists within the country and in the diaspora
4. Encourage younger sociologists and graduate students to take leadership in research, publication, and institutional development to build the discipline's future
5. Address structural barriers to decolonization within universities, including advocating for promotion criteria that recognize and reward publication in local and regional journals
Additional Resources and References
• Ali Shariati – Iranian sociologist cited as an example of developing a distinctive national sociological tradition relevant to the Global South
• Julian Gore's concept of epistemic inequality – Relevant to discussions of decolonization and the sociology of knowledge
• Anthony Giddens' Introduction to Sociology – Mentioned as an example of Western-centric introductory text currently used in Bangladesh, highlighting the need for locally grounded alternatives
• Meeting Recording – Available on YouTube and Facebook for participants and broader audience who could not attend live See less
