20-10-2022

tHurSDay, octoBer 20, 2022
4
Acting Editor & Publisher : Jobaer Alam
e-mail: editor@thebangladeshtoday.com
thursday, october 20, 2022
Saving precious
agricultural lands
T
here
should not be any doubt or hesitations as regards
the necessity of taking appropriate measures to save
agricultural lands in a land short densely populated
country like Bangladesh. Bangladesh with an area of 147,570
sq. km. in total possesses about 20.16 million acres of cultivated
area for 160 million people.
But in reality the scale at which agricultural land is being
wasted every year there will remain nothing to be surprised
for one if agriculture meets very serious setbacks in
Bangladesh some day. An estimate shows that the gradual
decline of arable land in Bangladesh now is by 1 percent per
annum because of its increased use for commercial purposes
and the establishment of different kinds of mills and factories
together with new residential areas.
This percentage of agricultural land decline is supposed
to be increasing with the increasing pace of non-agricultural
economic progress of the country. If this trend continues
and not minimized or stopped the prices of food
and other necessary agricultural commodities will go
beyond control as increasing domestic agricultural commodity
production will be impossible under limited land
use for agricultural purposes.
Considering all these the government has undertaken a
master plan to build multistoried residential buildings on
cooperative basis for the accommodation of rural and urban
people to save agricultural land. The concerned officials have
claimed that through this scheme the gobbling up of agricultural
lands will be minimized and side by side the maximum
utilization of biological resources of the country will be
ensured. The concerned officials have already discussed the
matter in the ECNEC meetings.
But it is true that the reasons behind the harming, misuse
and loss of agricultural lands do scarcely catch the attention
of the quarters who ought to be concerned. The productivity
of agricultural land is decreasing because of the repeated
excessive use of chemical fertilizers every year. Industrial
wastes are being thrown in unplanned and reckless manner
on agricultural lands and adjacent rivers. Building of
unplanned residential accommodations, roads and highways,
bridges and culverts, industrial establishments, brickfields
et cetera are on the increase and causing serious damage
to and decrease of agricultural lands.
Moreover, the reckless activities that are going on in the
private sector to establish housing estates for residential purposes
throughout the country by occupying agricultural
lands has raised the apprehensions that the possibility of the
availability of agricultural land will become precarious in the
near future. But no one, it seems, is ready to realize that an
agriculture dominated and dependent country could one day
face a great peril from such a development.
In a country inhabited by 160 million people or 32 million
households the peasant community of Bangladesh consisting of
8.73 million households (rural areas only) or 34.44 percent of
agricultural labour households out of 58.66 percent total farm
households are toiling hard to produce necessary food and other
agricultural products. About 80 percent of the people of the
country still depend directly or indirectly on agriculture. Though
there are no special social facilities in the countryside for the
peasant community to enjoy, yet they are achieving unparalleled
successes every year in agricultural productions only because
there are still sufficient fertile agricultural lands for use.
It goes without saying that not only agricultural but industrial
development is also necessary in the country for creating jobs,
income and raising of the standard of living of the people. But to
improve both of these sectors what is needed is harmonious
development of these two sectors with courage, sincerity of purpose,
patriotism and well planned concerted efforts. But if the
political leadership and the government officials fail in the
implementation of this plan to check unchecked encroachment
on limited agricultural lands, then its results will be unfortunate
for the country even in the near future.
The plan to meet the habitation problems of the rural population
by constructing multistoried buildings and other measures
to preserve agricultural land will be laudable if its result becomes
visible through its implementations in the true sense of the term.
If a sincere effort is made to achieve a harmonious balance
between agricultural and industrial development in the country,
then overall economic progress will be accelerated on the one
hand and likewise domestic food grain production and production
of other agricultural produces will also increase.
The development of agro-based industry in the country
may help to preserve agricultural land. The countries
where agricultural land is meager, they have given
emphasis on industrializations of the economy to meet
the overall demand of their people. But in a country like
ours where the Creator has blessed us with fertile agricultural
lands, we need to industrialize and export but
after giving proper and due importance to agriculture.
Only then it will be possible for us to adequately and effectively
rescue agricultural land and make its appropriate
use and benefit the country in the practical sense.
We are to remember that agriculture is still the life line of
the Bangladesh economy with its tremendously hard working
peasant society. Their demand for existence is bare minimum
but contributions to the economy are enormous. To be
honest the urban population will be rooted out if the agricultural
sector stops supplying their daily necessities. From this
point of view the urban sector is totally dependent on the
rural agricultural sector but scarcely vice versa. And this is a
long lasting reality to continue. Bangladesh as a whole cannot
go on without keeping its agricultural sector in good health .
So, the imperative to preserve agricultural land is irrefutable.
Thus, our national policy makers will have to give urgent and
active attention to this issue without wasting any time.
Western hegemony
and liberal policy have
contributed to
widespread issues
worldwide, as I detailed
in my earlier piece on
this subject. This piece
is a follow-up to a
previous one. It maintains that, despite its
potential benefits to society and humanity,
Western liberalism has been a net negative
since the fall of the Soviet Union. Liberty,
progress, individualism, and equality are all
tenets of Western liberalism as a political
theory. This liberalism originated in the
Enlightenment era of the Western world,
around the year 1800. Liberalism in the West
was shaped by theorists like John Locke and
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who advocated for
individual rights and a social compact with
the state. The ideals of freedom and equality
advanced by the French Revolution of 1789
also significantly impacted the development
of western liberalism. During the 19th
century, liberals in the West pushed for free
markets, constitutional government,
individual rights, and capitalism. John
Maynard Keynes and other 20th-century
liberals like him pushed for government
action to alleviate economic distress,
unemployment, and poverty. Progressive
taxation systems, healthcare reform, and
combating climate change are popular causes
among modern liberals in the West.
Various theories can be found regarding
the seed from which western liberalism
sprouted. Liberal thought can be traced back
to the Enlightenment, according to some
academics, or the Reformation, according to
others. Others view liberalism as an offshoot
of both of these historical currents. Western
liberalism, whatever its specific beginnings,
has undeniably changed the course of
history. It is not just Western societies that
Western liberal principles have influenced,
but all societies around the globe. Whether
we like it or not, western liberal principles
have been the norm in international politics
and cultural production in the last few
centuries. Nothing can be said with certainty
about liberalism's future, but its influence
will undoubtedly remain widespread for
decades. Despite the rise of socialism and
fascism in the 20th century, liberalism has
persisted as a significant political ideology.
There is no simple answer to whether
Western liberalism is good or bad for global
social progress and peace. It all depends on
who you ask and their particular set of life
experiences. Some claim that the spread of
western liberal principles has led to more
liberty and equality for all. In contrast, others
believe they have led to cultural imperialism
that has repressed minority communities.
There's no simple solution butweighing each
option's pros, and disadvantages is critical.
However, given the current global social,
economic, and political structure, it appears
that, while most components of liberalism
are excellent, adopting this in different
contexts through force and excessive use can
be harmful to society, as we have seen over
the past 30 years. In the past few years, the
topic of Western liberal ideals' hegemonic
influence has received a great deal of
attention. While some say these ideals are
necessary for a harmonious and equitable
society, others claim they are detrimental to
communal harmony. To be sure, Western
liberalism has been credited with bringing
about many of the advantages of
contemporary life. Examples of liberal ideals
include the protection of free speech and the
right to practise one's religion without
interference from the government. More
people now than ever are able to improve
their socioeconomic standing, largely thanks
to liberalism's facilitation of such upward
mobility. Liberal ideas from the West have
been praised for spreading freedom and
human rights to countries all over the globe.
Nonetheless, there are several issues with
Western liberalism that need to be taken into
account. Individualism and competitiveness,
two liberal virtues, are cited as reasons for the
rise of inequality. Furthermore, many of the
liberties praised by liberals can be exploited
to promote discrimination and hate (such as
hate speech). Again, there is an opinion that
Western liberal democracies are highly
vulnerable and liable to collapse (as we have
seen in recent years with the rise of
populism). Nonetheless, I am convinced that
Western Liberalism is to blame for the
current international crisis, particularly the
war in Ukraine. That is true for several
different reasons.
First, the concept of the rational individual
serves as the cornerstone around which
liberalism is built. This premise is erroneous
because humans are not rational beings.
Because we are primarily emotional beings,
with rationality coming in second, liberalism
typically results in adverse outcomes in most
circumstances. Second, an open society is
fundamental to the liberal worldview. This
concept is also incorrect. People are good, and
they can use their freedom to act in a morally
commendable way. This is the premise upon
which open societies are built. Individuality is
the birthright of man. Therefore, it is the
responsibility of each individual to make
decisions regarding everything. This
philosophical doctrine contains its own set of
errors as well. Because, on the one hand, people
are required to interact with others and
undergo socialisation as part of society.
Therefore, individual choices shouldn't
result in negative consequences for other
people. On the other hand, it is true that not
all people are good, that many do not have the
conscience, knowledge, or foresight to
evaluate good and bad, and that there are
certainly many people in society who, if given
the opportunity, will make destructive use of
their freedom. The current situation in
Ukraine demonstrates how dangerous and
unstable free democracies can be. In addition,
liberalism shields individuals from the state's
authority and fosters a social climate in which
the government is held accountable to the
people it serves. In recent years, we have
observed that liberals emphasise the
individual's rights while simultaneously
displaying an insufficient concern for the
greater good. Opponents argue that this
emphasis on individual rights has contributed
to a decline in social cohesion and a rise in the
number of social problems.
In addition, the liberal economic strategy is
fraught with many difficulties and is frequently
condemned for pursuing unequal economic
practices. Some people think these policies have
led to a greater concentration of wealth and
power in the hands of a smaller number of
people, while the rest of the population has been
left behind. In the context of the situation in
Ukraine, several observers have suggested that
the liberal economic policies of the EU are to
blame for the current instability in the region.
Some people believe that because of the openborder
policies of the European Union, oligarchs
and other corrupt officials in Ukraine have been
able to steal Ukraine's riches, which has
contributed to the country's current economic
catastrophe. Additionally, widespread poverty
and social inequality have been brought about
due to the European Union's reliance on
neoliberal economic changes. The political
unrest in Ukraine may be traced back to
November 2013, when the country's then-
President Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign an
association agreement with the European
Union. This resulted in demonstrations, which
ultimately developed into a full-scale revolution.
Russia's displeasure with Ukraine's new pro-
Western government's swift acceptance of
Ukraine's interest in partnerships with the
European Union and NATO-led to the rapid
escalation of the current situation.
The current situation in Ukraine can serve
as a helpful example for illustrating how
Western liberalism is deeply broken. First,
there is a reluctance on the part of Western
nations to take military action to safeguard
their interests. The United States and its
allies have not directly waged war against
Russia other than through economic
penalties since Russia grabbed Crimea and
sponsored separatist insurgents in eastern
Ukraine. Simply because a conflict with a
superpower would almost certainly end in
disaster. Even agreeing to send Ukraine
heavy weaponry was not something it
decided to do. This stance by the United
States stood in stark contrast to the approach
Dr. MD. rakIBul Hoque
that NATO took toward Serbia in 2008. In a
televised address, Russian President
Vladimir Putin stated that if the
independence of Kosovo can be considered
genuine, then the independence of Abkhazia
and South Ossetia can also be regarded as
acceptable. This dualistic approach to
liberalism is a genuinely horrible and weak
philosophical system.
Numerous academics, such as Noam
Chomsky, political scientist John
Mearsheimer, and former President Richard
Nixon of the United States, have voiced harsh
criticism of the EU's position towards
Ukraine crisis. There is a widespread
perception that the European Union's
backing of Ukraine's neoliberal economic
reforms contributes to the country's
downward spiral towards extreme poverty,
corruption, and social inequality. The current
situation in Ukraine has brought into stark
relief the significant ideological chasm
between Western liberalism and Russian
conservatism. Even though the West has
taken a tough stance against Russian
aggression, some detractors have
characterised the European Union's (EU)
support and promotion of democracy and
human rights as hypocritical and insane. The
people of Ukraine, who had corrupt
administrations governed for many years,
did not have the best interests of their
country at heart when the democratic and
libertarian values that the West promoted. As
a result of the modern aspects of liberalism,
many people believe that liberalism places
excessive importance on the individual's
freedom at the price of the common good.
Their position is that liberalism is harmful to
society because it destroys traditional values,
which contributes to the breakdown of social
cohesion. It promotes a consumerist culture
that is centred on the individual and material
goods. It is generally agreed that liberalism is
the root cause of many of the issues that
plague modern society, such as the decline of
morality, the proliferation of social crime,
and the instability of the economy.
Opponents of liberalism blame free
markets and unrestricted movement of
people and ideas for contributing to a decline
in moral standards and increased criminal
activity. We have been observing the tell-tale
signals of instability in the world today for the
better part of the past three decades. This
kind of neoliberal philosophical model does
not work well in many cultures. Not a
consumerist philosophy but an aesthetic
spirituality based not on the free market, but
a balanced economic doctrine is required. A
distinct approach or philosophy that is
adapted to the local situation and emphasises
not the individual, but the universal good is
needed. In the alternative, this pernicious
concept of liberalism will give rise to a
fragmented and unstable society.
Individualism will be celebrated, and people
will be preoccupied with their wants and
needs all the time, which will be detrimental
to the general well-being of humankind.
The writer is Educator, Author, and
Researcher and Executive Chair, Centre for
Business & Economic Research, UK
Bangladesh-Brunei bilateral ties to a new level
Diplomatic relations between Brunei
and Bangladesh were established
on 5 May 1984. Bangladesh
immediately recognized Brunei and
opened a residential diplomatic mission in
1985. Brunei opened its High Commission
in Dhaka in 1999. Since then, the two
countries have maintained excellent
diplomatic relations.The main areas of
cooperation between the two countries are
the labour, defence, education, trade, and
energysectors.
Brunei, a small country in Southeast
Asia, is projected to have a population of
439,338, a GDP of $12.02 billion and a per
capita income of about $31,501.The
economic freedom score of Brunei is 64.8,
and it is ranked 9th among 39 countries in
the Asia-Pacific region. Its overall score is
above the regional and world
averages.Meanwhile, Bangladesh's per
capita income is $2,554, and its GDP is
$409 billion. Therefore, bilateral progress
is essential, given the current situation.
The year 2019 represented a new
chapter in Brunei-Bangladesh bilateral
relations.In April 2019, Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina visited Brunei and signed
severalmemoranda of understanding
(MoUs)in different sectors such as
agriculture, fisheries, livestock, gas supply,
art and culture and youth and sports to
strengthen bilateral ties between the
friendly countries.Brunei and Bangladesh
expressed satisfaction with the
longstanding relations between the two
countries and reiterated their commitment
to leverage existing relations for mutual
benefit.
On 16 October, 2022, Bangladesh and
Brunei signed four documents, including
an air service agreement, taking bilateral
ties to a new level. After official talks,
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,
Why western liberalism is perilous
and Brunei Sultan Haji HassanalBolkiah
signed the bilateral agreement at the prime
minister's office. The three bilateral
agreements are: "MoU on Employment
and Recruitment of Bangladeshi
Workers,""Memorandum
of
Understanding on Areas of Cooperation in
Supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
and Other Petroleum Products,""MoU on
the recognition of Certificates Issued under
the provision of International Convention
on Standards of Training, Certification
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 as
amended".
Bilateral trade is still insignificant in
volume and value,although Bangladesh
and Brunei enjoy cordial and friendly
relations and excellent understanding and
cooperation. In 2021, Bangladesh'sexports
to Brunei were US$1.83 Million,and
Bangladesh's imports from Brunei
wereUS$23.56 Million. Bangladesh mainly
exports apparel, flour, dairy products, eggs,
honey, vegetables, and tea. On the other
hand, Bangladesh mainly imports mineral
fuels, oils, chemicals, and articles of iron
and steel.
If the two nations can mutually expand
bilateral trade relations, there are
possibilities of immense mutual benefits.
In that context, Brunei and Bangladesh
continueexploring various trade and
investment options, such as increasing
Dr P r Datta
In addition, the liberal economic strategy is fraught with
many difficulties and is frequently condemned for pursuing
unequal economic practices. Some people think these
policies have led to a greater concentration of wealth and
power in the hands of a smaller number of people, while
the rest of the population has been left behind.
active exchanges between local businesses
and exploring cooperation and
partnerships to harness their strengths by
capitalizing on export opportunities.
For the common good, both countries
encourage mutual investment. In this
regard, Brunei is keen to participate in the
global halal food market through
Bangladesh's special economic zone and
Brunei's proven expertise in the halal food
industry. In 2021 the global halal food
market reached a value of US$ 1,978
billion andis expected to reach US$ 3,907.7
billion by 2027. The progress of its halal
industry is encouraging. Bangladesh has
Brunei, a small country in Southeast asia, is projected to
have a population of 439,338, a GDP of $12.02 billion and a
per capita income of about $31,501.the economic freedom
score of Brunei is 64.8, and it is ranked 9th among 39
countries in the asia-Pacific region.
recently become a member of the
Standards and Metrology Institute, an
affiliated institution of the OIC that gives
halal certificationto member countries.
Although Bangladesh produces all halal
goods, some countries,including
Brunei,demand halal certification on the
products.Givenjoint membership, OIC and
the Commonwealth, the two nations can
depend on each other to continue mutual
interests.
Brunei is one of the oldest labour
markets for Bangladeshis, as it began
trading in 1992. Today, Brunei is an ideal
workplace for Bangladeshi migrant
workers hosting more than 100,000
foreign workers, among which 30% are
Bangladeshi. According to the Bureau of
Manpower Employment and Training
(BMET), Brunei hired 75,435 Bangladeshi
workers from 1992 to August this year.
Brunei's government plans to recruit more
workforce from Bangladesh. To grasp the
opportunity, Bangladesh cansend
demand-driven skilled workers toincrease
remittances. The governmentscanprovide
technical and vocational training to
outbound migrant workers and create an
online database for migrants.
Brunei and Bangladesh can continue to
work together to explore ways to
strengthen cooperation to elevate their
relationship to a higher level. Brunei
welcomes cooperation with Bangladesh
in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and
livestock, food processing, ICT,
shipbuilding, manufacturing, tourism
infrastructure, defence, labour, blue
economy, and the jute industry. In
addition, Bangladesh will continue to
explore the possibility of extensive
cooperation in the energy sector through
Government-to-Government (G2G)
arrangements, including the supply of
liquefied natural gas (LNG) to
Bangladesh. The two countries can
mutually expand bilateral trade relations
and identify opportunities in multiple
areas of mutual interest.Brunei is
estimated to be ninth largest LNG
producer in the world and third largest oil
producer in Southeast Asia. Looking to
the future, like Bangladesh, the focus is
on diversifying the economy. Bilateral
trade between the two countries is
currently well below its potential, but
increased cooperation would benefit both
countries.
The writer is Professor, Department of
Management Information Systems,
University of Dhaka