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Dr. Ali Riaz

Distinguished Professor
Politics and Government
Office
SCH Schroeder Hall 405
Office Hours
Tuesdays 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. & by appointment
  • About
  • Education
  • Awards & Honors
  • Research

Current Courses

151Introduction to International Relations

Teaching Interests & Areas

South Asian Politics, Comparative Politics

Research Interests & Areas

Political Islam, South Asian Politics, Bangladeshi Politics, Democratization, Violent Extremism

Ph D Political Science

University of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii

MA Political Science

University of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii

MA Communication

University of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii

MA Mass Communication and Journalism

University of Dhaka
Dhaka, Bangladesh

BA Mass Communication and Journalism

University of Dhaka
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Impact Award

Illinois State University
2020

Excellence in Teaching Award

Pi Aigma Alpha, Illinois State University
2006

Research Enhancement Award

Illinois State University
2006

Outstanding College Researcher Award

CAS, Illinois State University
2005

Dean's Award for Outstanding Scholarship

College of Arts and Sciences, Illinois State University
2004

Special Recognition for Services

Claflin University, South Carolina
2002

Werner Levi Award

Department of Political Science, University of Hawaii
1993

East West Center Honor Award

University of Hawaii
1990

Who's Who International Student Certificate of Merit

1990

Book, Authored

Riaz, A., & Rana, M. How Autocrats Rise: Sequences of Democratic Backsliding. Palgrave Macmillan (2024)
Riaz, A. Pathways of Autocratization: The Tumultuous Journey of Bangladeshi Politics. Routledge (2024)
Riaz, A. Itihasher Dolachol (Oscilation of History, in Bengali). Batighar (2023)
Riaz, A. Trials and Tribulations: Politics, Economy and Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. Prothoma (2023)
Riaz, A. Lekhoker Dai (Responsibilities of a writer, in Bengali) (লেখকের দায়). Batighar (2022): 144.

Book, Chapter

Riaz, A. Bangladesh. Neil DeVotta (EDs), Introduction to South Asian Politics (2nd edition). Routledge (2024)
Riaz, A. Construction and Reconstruction of Identity of the Bangladeshi Diaspora. Sreeradaha Datta (EDs), Bangladesh on a New Journey: Moving beyond the Regional Identity. Bloomsbury (2024)
Riaz, A. Islamist politics in Bangladesh: The nature, scope and the pathway. Rounaq Jahan and Rehman Sobhan (EDs), ”. Fifty Years of Bangladesh: Economy, Politics, Society and Culture. Routledge (2024)
Riaz, A. Constitutionalism Interrupted or Constitutionalism Absent? The Divergence of Constitution and Politics in Bangladesh. Ridwanul Hoque, Rokeya Chowdhury (EDs), A History of the Constitution of Bangladesh: The Founding, Development, and Way Ahead. Routledge (2023)
Riaz, A., & Rana, M. Democracy Deficit in D-8. Ahmed Masood Khalid, James Ferguson and M Niaz Asadullah (EDs), Economic Integration and Global Governance in Emerging Muslim Economies. World Scientific (2023)

Book, Edited

Riaz, A. Lunthito Vobisyot (The Pulndered Future, in Bengali). Prothoma (2023)
Riaz, A. Religion and Politics in South Asia, 2nd edition. Routledge (2021)
Riaz, A., Nasreen, Z., & Zaman, F. Political Violence in South Asia. Routledge (2018)
Riaz, A. Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Bangladesh. Routledge (2016)
Riaz, A. Political Islam and Governance in Bangladesh. Ali Riaz and C. Christine Fair (EDs). Routledge (2011)

Journal Article

Riaz, A. Religion as a tool for authoritarian legitimation: The case of Bangladesh. World Affairs 187.2 (2024)
Riaz, A., & Rana, M. Democratic Erosion in Comparative Contexts: Evidence from Egypt, Indonesia, Iran and Pakistan. Habib Zafarullah (EDs). Journal of Governance, Security and Development 3.1 (2022): 1-23.
Riaz, A., & Rana, M. Securitization of the Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh. Journal of Asian and African Studies (JAAS) (2022)
Riaz, A., & Parvez, S. Anatomy of a Rigged Election in a Hybrid Regime: The Lessons from Bangladesh. Democratization 28.4 (2021): 810-820.
Riaz, A. Terrorism, Counter Terrorism and Models of Counter Terrorism: An Overview. Counter Terrorism Journal 1.1 (2021): 39-60.

Magazine/Trade Publication

Riaz, A. Bangladesh Carnage: The Facts that Belie the Government Narrative. The Diplomat (2024)
Riaz, A. India-Bangladesh Relationship Under Modi 3.0 Won’t Change, But …’. The Diplomat (2024)
Riaz, A. Is the Judiciary Being Weaponized in Bangladesh?. The Diplomat (2024)
Riaz, A. Should Bangladesh Recalibrate Its Myanmar Policy, Especially Toward the Arakan Army?. The Diplomat (2024)
Riaz, A. The Remarkable Downfall of Bangladesh’s Iron Lady. Foreign Affairs (2024)

Newspaper, Article

Riaz, A. Bertelsmann Transformation Index 2024: Another indictment of Bangladesh’s state of governance. The Daily Star (2024)
Riaz, A. Lessons from four elections: More challenges to democracy ahead. The Daily Star (2024)
Riaz, A. The Great Game will continue. The Daily Star (2024)
Riaz, A. The rise of personalistic autocracy: What should we do?. The Daily Star (2024)
Riaz, A. What comes after January 7?. The Daily Star (2024)

Working Paper

Riaz, A. Global Jihad, Sectarianism and The Madrassahs in Pakistan. Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University (2005)

Presentations

Culture wars beyond borders. Bay of Bengal Conversation 2023: The Rising Tide. Centre for Governanace Studies. (2023)
Freedom of Expression in Bangladesh. Freedom of Expression in Bangladesh. Right to Freedom (R2F). (2023)
How Does a Country Autocratize: Exploration of the Case of Bangladesh. V-Dem Seminar Series. Varieties of Democracy Institute, University of Gothenberg. (2023)
The Dragon's Domain: BRI After a decade. Bay of Bengal Conversation 2023: The Rising Tide. Centre for Governanace Studies. (2023)
The Return of Populaist Politics in Bangladesh. International Studies Association (ISA) Convention. International Studies Association. (2023)
The World We Live In: Democracy Retreats, Authoritarianism Surges. Mornings with Professors. Academy of Seniors, Illinois State University. (2023)
Understanding Hurt Sentiment. Hurt Sentiment Book Launch. Woordrow Wilson Center. (2023)
Who Defends the Defenders. The State of Human Right Defenders in Bangladesh. Centre for Governanace Studies. (2023)
Bangladesh Politics. Marginalization & Inclusion in South Asia: Economic, Politics & Culture. Saxena Center for South Asian Studies, Brown University. (2022)
Bangladesh-India Relations: Too close for comfort. Bay of Bengal Conversation. Centre for Governance Studies. (2022)