
Populism, Ideology and Discourse in the Global South
Shafi Md Mostofa
Contact: shafi(at)du.ac.bd
Associate Professor, University of Dhaka
Shafi Md Mostofa (PhD) is a theologian and security studies scholar with broad interests in political Islam, authoritarianism, modern South Asian history and politics, and international relations and the clash of civilizations. He is an Associate Professor of World Religions and Culture at Dhaka University’s Faculty of Arts and an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of New England, Australia. He also served as a senior fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK. He is the author of “Institutions of Political Islam in Bangladesh: History, Agenda and Strategy” (Routledge, London), “Islamist Militancy in Bangladesh: A Pyramid Root Cause Model” (Cham, Springer) and “Dynamics of Violent Extremism in South Asia: Nexus between State Fragility and Extremism” (Singapore, Palgrave Macmillan). He is also an editorial member of the Journal of World Affairs, SAGE.
Research project
Political Nationalism in Bangladesh
This project explores political nationalism’s impact on democracy erosion in Bangladesh. Political nationalism, emphasizing exclusion along political identities rather than cultural or ethnic factors, poses a significant threat to democratic governance. The study focuses on understanding its origins, manifestations, and implications, employing multidisciplinary methods including literature review, historical analysis, and stakeholder interviews. Key themes include the Awami League’s role in promoting political nationalism and marginalizing opposition, using the Liberation War narrative. The project also examines the rise of populist authoritarianism and its effects on democratic institutions. Findings aim to contribute insights on nationalism, democracy, and authoritarianism, informing policymakers and civil society on challenges to democratic governance in Bangladesh. This research strives to advance understanding of Bangladesh’s political landscape and potential paths for democratic reform.