This book studies postcolonial Bangladesh and shows how the state failed to create an industrial bourgeoisie class. The author explores concepts of the postcolonial state, colonialism during the British period, postcolonial Bangladesh under various regimes, the influences of democracy, and alternatives through which Bangladesh may become a civil society. This highly analytical and interpretive study offers a 'solution' to the problem by calling for a participatory development and abandoning the idea of modernity. A table of contents and a list of abbreviations make this book an especially thorough and pragmatic reference tool.