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United States Institute of Peace

Geoffrey Macdonald, Ph.D.

Visiting Expert

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Please submit all media inquiries to interviews@usip.org or call 202.429.3869.

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Dr. Geoffrey Macdonald is a visiting expert on South Asia at USIP.

Dr. Macdonald is also a senior advisor in the Asia-Pacific division at the International Republican Institute (IRI), where he currently focuses on research and program strategy in Asia. Previously, Dr. Macdonald was IRI’s Bangladesh country director, overseeing the design, implementation, evaluation and financial management of U.S. government-funded programs on civil society capacity building, youth civic education, minority rights, political party strengthening, and countering violent extremism. Dr. Macdonald has also taught political science at George Washington University, Grinnell College and other institutions.

Dr. Macdonald’s research focuses on political and extremist violence, democratic design, conflict management, and comparative politics with a regional focus on Bangladesh and South Asia. He holds a doctorate from the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies and was awarded a Fulbright research scholarship to India in 2012-2013.

Dr. Macdonald’s writing has been published by the Journal of Democracy, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, the Council on Foreign Relations, and various other academic and policy outlets.

Publications By Geoffrey

A Perilous Moment for Bangladesh’s Democracy

A Perilous Moment for Bangladesh’s Democracy

Monday, March 4, 2024

By: Geoffrey Macdonald, Ph.D.

Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections in January cemented the country’s transition to a “dominant-party” political system. Aided by an opposition boycott on Election Day, the Awami League (AL) extended its 15 years in power with another five-year term, which will soon make Bangladesh’s prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, the world’s longest continuously serving female head of government in contemporary history. But political dominance comes with risk. Around the world, dominant-party systems often develop common maladies that harm the country’s governance. Ensuring competition across politics, government and the economy can forestall these problems.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance;  Global Elections & Conflict

What Does Bangladesh’s Upcoming Election Mean for its Foreign Policy?

What Does Bangladesh’s Upcoming Election Mean for its Foreign Policy?

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

By: Geoffrey Macdonald, Ph.D.

Bangladesh is getting more international attention for two very different reasons. Domestically, Bangladesh’s tumultuous political situation ahead of the January 7 parliamentary elections has elicited global scrutiny. The United States, through its rhetoric and actions, has led international actors pushing Bangladesh to improve its democratic processes and calling for dialogue to resolve the current political impasse, which has often received harsh retorts from the Awami League (AL) government. Countering Western pressure, Russia and China have condemned U.S. “meddling” while India has called the upcoming polls an “internal matter.”

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance;  Global Policy

Ahead of Election, Bangladesh’s Political Turmoil Spills into the Streets

Ahead of Election, Bangladesh’s Political Turmoil Spills into the Streets

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

By: Geoffrey Macdonald, Ph.D.

With Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections set for early January, the opposition’s push for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the installation of an interim election-time government has reached its crescendo — sending the country’s streets and politics into tumult in the process. With no sign of political compromise in sight, Bangladesh’s January elections will likely do little to repair its deep political divisions.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

Bangladesh: Survey Reveals Premier Remains Popular Despite Growing Public Discontent

Bangladesh: Survey Reveals Premier Remains Popular Despite Growing Public Discontent

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

By: David Hoogstra ;   Geoffrey Macdonald, Ph.D.

Political tension is rising in Bangladesh ahead of the country’s next round of national elections, due by January 2024. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is boycotting elections to extract concessions from the government on election management; rampant inflation is increasing citizens’ daily struggles; and both the BNP and ruling Awami League (AL) are holding large rallies across the country to mobilize their supporters. Yet in this tumultuous political scenario, there is little publicly available polling to understand the state of race.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance;  Economics

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