Bengali Nationalism and the Relative Deprivation Hypothesis

In: Canadian review of studies in nationalism: Revue canadienne des études sur le nationalisme, Volume 15, Issue 1-2, p. 81-90

Abstract

Using secondary & statistical data, theoretical & empirical aspects of the secessionist movement that led to the creation of Bangladesh are explored here, beginning with the merger of East Bengal with Pakistan in 1947. Various theoretical models of nationalism & assimilation are described & measured against the evidence of the case. It is argued that the relative deprivation hypothesis is applicable to the progressive deprivation of middle class East Pakistanis, especially the political & intellectual elite, but also a vernacular elite composed of a cultural group of lower middle class origins that provided the movement with leadership & mobilizational skills. A combination of progressive deprivation & power balance models of conflict best explain the successful secessionist movement. 1 Appendix. A. Waters