Exploring Students’ Perception of Democratic Consolidation in the Post-July 2024 Movement in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study examines university students’ perceptions of democratic consolidation in Bangladesh in the aftermath of the July 2024 Movement, a landmark moment in the nation’s democratic trajectory. Emerging from widespread student-led mobilization, the movement renewed debates on institutional accountability, civic freedoms, and democratic reform. Against this background, the study aims to explore how university students interpret the meaning, progress, and future prospects of democratic consolidation in post-movement Bangladesh. Despite growing scholarship on democratic consolidation in Bangladesh, limited attention has been given to youth perceptions in post-movement political contexts. Adopting a mixed-methods approach, it combines a quantitative survey of 300 students selected through simple random sampling from five major public universities with 15 in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted via snowball sampling among active participants in the movement. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis. This methodology assesses attitudes toward political stability, institutional trust, civic rights, participatory governance, and reform priorities, while also capturing the nuanced views students attach to their political experiences. The findings reveal that students are cautiously optimistic about the democratic process and broadly agree that electoral and constitutional reforms are essential for strengthening institutional accountability. A strong emphasis is placed on political stability and the rule of law as prerequisites for democratic resilience. However, skepticism persists regarding the consistent protection of civic freedoms and the effectiveness and impartiality of democratic institutions. They conceptualize democratic consolidation not merely as a formal arrangement but as a dynamic process requiring credible institutions, participatory governance, and sustained reform. This study contributes by amplifying student voices as essential indicators of Bangladesh's democratic trajectory, highlighting both the promise and challenges of the post-July democratic future. Overall, the study concludes that democratic consolidation in Bangladesh is an evolving process that requires continuous reform and stronger civic engagement.