Preference Falsification and the July Revolution in Bangladesh: How Political ‎Oppression and Inequality Triggered the Mass Uprising

Abstract

This study analyzes the role of political oppression and inequality under the Sheikh ‎Hasina regime from 2009 onwards in triggering the July Revolution. Using Preference ‎Falsification as the theoretical framework, the research examines historical events, ‎government policies, political developments, and social movements to identify the ‎underlying causes of the uprising. The findings indicate that long-term suppression of ‎democratic rights, political repression, socio-political insecurity, inequality, and the ‎discriminatory quota system created conditions favorable for mass mobilization. The ‎government’s failure to address public grievances and its increasing authoritarianism ‎ultimately led to the uprising. Despite state repression, the uprising succeeded in ‎overthrowing the government, ending the Hasina regime. These results provide a detailed ‎account of the structural and political conditions that triggered the July Revolution, ‎enriching the understanding of authoritarian collapse and civic mobilization in Bangladesh.‎