Pattern of rural leadership in an agraian society : a case study of the changing power structure in Bangladesh IB

The research reported in this book was written at the Department of Anthropology, Syracuse University, USA in a very stimulating research atmosphere. The research has its ethnographic base in two adjacent villages in the north-western part of Bangladesh. Two villages-Dhononjoypara and Gopalhati are examined in order to understand the changing leadership pattern in rural Bangladesh. The traditional leaders in a non-governmental organization is contrasted to the emerging leaders in newly instituted governmental agencies. The study reveals a change in the institutions through which leaders can exert power due to government funded programmes and projects, but shows that the basic structure of the leadership remains unchanged. The educated descendents of the traditional leaders are the leaders in the new arena. The crucial importance of young sections of traditionally powerful families and the mechanisms that they have used for institutional change of power is highlighted in this book.