Every year, The Economist selects one country that has demonstrated the most remarkable improvement over the past 12 months. This year, the honor was bestowed upon Bangladesh. Previous recipients of this recognition include Colombia for ending a civil war, Ukraine for resisting an unprovoked invasion, and Malawi for its strides toward democratization. In 2023, Greece was lauded for overcoming a long financial crisis and re-electing a sensible centrist government, according to a report by The Economist.

Why Bangladesh?

The Economist clarified that its selection criteria are not based on wealth, happiness, or virtue but on the extent of improvement observed over the previous year. Bangladesh was recognized for overthrowing an autocratic regime. In August, student-led street protests forced out Sheikh Hasina, who had ruled the country of 175 million people for 15 years. While Sheikh Hasina presided over rapid economic growth during her tenure, her regime became increasingly repressive, marked by rigged elections, imprisonment of political opponents, and the use of security forces to suppress protests. Additionally, substantial sums of public money were stolen under her administration.

“Bangladesh has a history of vengeful violence when power changes hands. The main opposition party, the BNP, is venal. Islamic extremism is a threat. Yet the transition has so far been encouraging,” stated the report.

The transition is currently being managed by a temporary technocratic government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. This administration, supported by students, the army, business leaders, and civil society, has restored order and stabilized the economy.

Looking ahead, the report highlighted significant challenges for Bangladesh. In 2025, the country must repair its diplomatic ties with India and determine an appropriate timeline for elections, ensuring a neutral judiciary and providing the opposition sufficient time to organize. These tasks will not be easy. However, for toppling a despot and making strides toward liberal governance, Bangladesh earned the title of “Country of the Year.”

The Runner-Up: Syria

Syria was the runner-up and a late entrant in the competition. The ousting of Bashar al-Assad on December 8 marked the end of a half-century of brutal dynastic dictatorship. Over the past 13 years, civil war and state violence under Assad’s regime have killed an estimated 600,000 people.

The report highlighted the atrocities committed by Assad’s regime, including the use of chemical weapons, mass torture, and large-scale drug trafficking to finance its operations. His eventual downfall brought both joy to Syrians and significant setbacks to his autocratic allies, Russia and Iran. Russia had provided air power for barrel bomb attacks, while Iran viewed Syria as a key ally in its “axis of resistance” alongside Hamas and Hizbullah.

“Assad was easily the worst tyrant deposed in 2024. But the quality of what replaces him matters, too,” the report noted. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the most powerful rebel group now controlling Damascus and other parts of Syria, has shown pragmatism thus far. However, its past affiliation with al-Qaeda until 2016 and its repressive governance of Idlib province have raised concerns.

The report warned that if HTS gains excessive power, it could establish an Islamist autocracy. Conversely, if it remains too weak, Syria risks descending into further fragmentation.

Bangladesh’s recognition as the “Country of the Year” serves as a testament to the power of student-led movements and the importance of striving toward democratic reforms, even in the face of daunting challenges. Meanwhile, Syria’s trajectory remains uncertain, highlighting the complexities of rebuilding a nation after decades of tyranny.

Source: The Economist