If you had followed the thread, you would have realised how Iraq cropped in.
I have nothing to comment on BD politics since it appears that the events there, engineered by both the major parties, causes total wonderment. Indeed, as you had said earlier, illiterates throng the political scene. There is no doubt, the events prove that you are right.
However, the Economist, much reputed as it maybe, is duty bound, even by media ethics, has to indicate authenticity of its claims.
I am sure you have seen the 'statistics' that are given in the media, as having been researched by reputed international agencies, are manipulated to suit the agenda. None gives the parameters used to arrive at such statistics. And observe the way the people gush over these statistics and feel that it is the Gospel truth.
Check the 'Happiness Index' that has been much debated. Happiness is abstract. It fluctuates. But if one 'engineers' the questions asked of the representative cross section asked, it can give the result as is the agenda of the ones taking the survey.