Dr. ASM Mostafizur Rahman succesfully obtained his doctoral degree

Heartiest congratulations to Dr. ASM Mostafizur Rahman on the successful obtaining of his doctoral
degree in Political Science from Heidelberg University after submitting a thesis with the title
“Globalization and Transformation: State, Ideas, and Economic Policy in Bangladesh,” and after
successfully passing the Viva Coca (“Disputation”) on February 22, 2024. The overall grade awarded for
his doctoral examination is Magna Cum Laude. The members of the PhD examination board are
Professor Dr. Rahul Mukherji, Professor Dr. Jale Tosun, and Professor Dr. Markus Pohlmann.

His study highlights that Bangladesh's globalization, particularly through its private sector-led garment
exports, stands as a significant success story, driving socio-economic change. It enabled resource
mobilization, reducing aid dependence, enhancing climate resilience, improving public health and
wellbeing, empowering women, and addressing critical needs in physical infrastructure and human
development. He argues that the significant economic transformation observed in Bangladesh today is
the outcome of a gradual and endogenous process. The economic shift occurred after embracing
globalization in the 1990s, built on path dependence incremental changes during the 1970s and 1980s.
He suggests that ideas within the state, specifically those of top technocrats and political executives,
played a significant role in triggering Bangladesh’s policy process.

His research adopts an institutional change framework, drawing on the theory of gradual change. The
methodological approach involves historical institutionalism, employing the process-tracing ‘within case’
method. The dissertation fills a noticeable gap in the literature through rigorous analysis, enabling an indepth
exploration of the institutional dynamics spanning four governments from 1972 to 1991, relying on
substantial primary materials, including interviews with key officials. Which undoubtedly contributed
significantly to the political economy understanding of Bangladesh’s transformation.
As Dr. Mostafizur Rahman embarks on the next phase of his academic and professional journey, may his
future endeavors be met with continued success and fulfillment.