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An Analysis on the Role and Functions of 'Village Self Government' in Socio-economic Development of Bangladesh: An Experimental Model for the Third World Countries, Department of Sociology, University of Helsinki, November 1985.


Focus:
The aim of the research was to analyse the local government development and specially the community development and mass-participation in rural Bangladesh. The study focus was also to explore the idea of 'Gram Sarkar' or village self-government; its various principals and working philosophy. The study also intended to analyse the various organisational and developmental aspects of the Gram Sarkar', it's practical applicability and impacts, and to explore possibilities to apply the 'model' in other countries.

Findings: The research on 'Gram Sarkar' or 'village self-government' reveals a wider spectrum of local development possibilities and strength of community based work in the developing countries. It also points out the alternative possibilities of development in the developing countries.

The study results indicate that in most functional areas of the ''Gram Sarkar' - it has achieved a tremendous results. From education development to small cottage industries formation; agriculture productivity increase to women empowerment; health consciousness to family planning - the 'village self-government' system has laid very positive impacts. Most of all it has created 'a sense of importance' and believes that the rural community can change their lives if they work together.

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