BNP Advisory Council member Zahir Uddin Swapan has emphasized that the state cannot be effectively governed without understanding the current political ecosystem.
He made the remarks at a policy dialogue titled “National Security and Law Enforcement: Challenges to Democratic Governance”, organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka.
Swapan said policymakers and politicians must grasp the dynamics of the transformed political system, describing its components as “inevitable and powerful.” He warned that without understanding these, running the state would be impossible.
Highlighting the changing nature of national security, he said the traditional border-focused concept of security—centered on land, water, or air boundaries—has been replaced by diversified risks in the modern era. “The power of the internet, digital communication, and technological practices has integrated all aspects of personal, social, economic, political, and state life into a new ecosystem. Control over it remains uncertain,” he added.
Swapan also pointed out changes within law enforcement. “Previously, policing meant catching thieves and criminals—providing legal service to the public. Today, crime has become multidimensional, with digital instruments adding new challenges, requiring the police to adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape,” he said.
Reflecting on the broader context, he noted that Bangladesh is still in the process of building its democracy as a developing nation. “Future elections and democratic aspirations require rethinking security and law enforcement beyond traditional concepts,” Swapan concluded.
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'Understanding political ecosystem key to running the state'