Of all the countries that have achieved sovereignty over the last 50 years, few are as large a state as Bangladesh. Bangladesh has established itself as a huge population center and powerful economic power. Yet it simultaneously faces immense problems that appear to permanently position it as a Third World nation. Bangladesh's European-influenced government, robust economy and cultural icons have created one of Asia's most important countries. Bangladesh is the scene of a long tumultuous history, marked by violence and ethnic conflicts. On August 15, 1947, after much reluctance and violent persuasion by military means, the British Empire agreed to enact the partition of India and divide South Asia into two autonomous states, India and Pakistan. . The ethnic reasons for the division were driven by religious differences between Hindu India and Islamic Pakistan. But Pakistan was not the nation-state it appeared to be, and a long history of differing Bengali cultures eventually resulted in the creation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the People's Republic of Bangladesh in 1971. (Bangladesh ) Even after achieving its status as a nation of cultural homogeneity, Bangladesh still faces several problems. A Constitution was promulgated in 1972, but postponed after a coup in 1982. It was finally reinstated on November 10, 1986. The Constitution had established a parliamentary democracy, where every five years people voted for a unicameral parliament, called Jatiyo Sangshad. (Bangladesh) The new system of government arose directly from Bangladesh's experience as a British colony. The Prime Minister is the head of government while the President is the head of state, although this is a more ceremonial position similar to that of Quebec in Britain......mid paper......therefore, the struggle for stability will only be a stepping stone to the country's bright future. Works Cited “Government of Bangladesh”. National reports. CountryReports, 2014. Web. May 18, 2014. “Economy: Bangladesh.” CIA Global Information Manual. CIA, nd Web. May 18, 2014. “Famous People of Bangladesh.” Famous birthdays. ElleKnows Entertainment, 2014. Web. May 18, 2014. “Famous Singers of Bangladesh”. Simple soldier. NP, 2014. Web. May 18, 2014. Islam, Serajul. “Women's Rights and Discrimination in Bangladesh.” Dhaka Tribune. Portonics, July 2013. Web. May 18, 2014. Lewis, David. Bangladesh: politics, economy and civil society. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2011. Print. Liberto, Jennifer. "US limits Bangladesh's trade privileges". CNNMargent. CNN, 2013. The web. May 18, 2014. “Top 5 Business Groups in Bangladesh.” The business world in Bangladesh. NP, 2012. Web. May 18 2014.