The State of Governance in Bangladesh 2007
Sanjan Haque
In 2007, the confrontational politics traditionally followed by the leading political parties, the constant need to secure power by means of politicization of state institutions, continuous corruption within the public sector and weak mechanisms of accountability, led to a political impasse which almost brought the country to the brink of civil war. The chain of events that led to ‘1/11’ and the imposition of the State of Emergency by the President, exemplified the state of governance in Bangladesh.
The two major political parties in Bangladesh have been traditionally dominated by an inner circle of confidants to the party Chairperson, akin to a ‘politbureau’, providing advice, assistance and allegiance without challenging the paradigm which shapes the polity in Bangladesh. The polity has been defined by the strong patron-client relationship at the grassroots level, which is devoid of strong ideological convictions or democratic values but requires unending allegiance to the party founder or figure-head and incumbent chairperson. As a result of indifference to democratic values and a Machiavellian thirst to secure power, the two major political parties have practiced a brand of politics which has perpetuated the ills of poor governance. This has sucked Bangladesh into a political vacuum which requires her to re-think the road towards development, democracy and good governance.
The emergence of the military backed caretaker government has jolted the traditional forces and to refresh the state institutions which had been captured by narrow partisan interests and the growth of corruption. The Institute of Governance Studies (IGS) at BRAC University has recently published its second annual governance report, The State of Governance in Bangladesh 2007: Expectations Commitment, Challenges. It states that the caretaker government has attempted to reduce the dominance by the Prime Minister’s Office through reconstitution of public institutions in order to ensure adequate checks and balances of the executive apparatus of the State .
The caretaker government has taken a number of bold initiatives to tackle the scourge of corruption in public life, develop mechanisms to reduce politicisation of state institutions and stimulate a debate on citizenry actions which will create a positive, responsive and transparent government. The anti-corruption drive has been highlighted by a number of high profile arrests and the detention of the leaders from the two major political parties. The reconstitution of a number of state organizations including the ACC and Public Service Commission further highlighted the need to strengthen institutions which are vital to accountable and transparent government. The Caretaker government has also created new institutions which examine bottlenecks to economic growth and efficient and effective delivery of public goods. These have included the introduction of the Regulatory Reforms Commission, as well as the Local Government Reform Initiatives, Police Reforms, and Reforms in the Civil Service.
The governance report published by IGS has carried out substantive research into the reform initiatives undertaken by the current administration and provided a succinct explanation of the institutions targeted for reform. The methods to improve the governance regime undertaken by this government have been austere on institutions and individuals due to the crippling nature corruption and bitter partisan divide existent in almost all public institutions. The paradigm shift has began, but the question remains on whose authority and on what grounds can these reforms be enacted, sustained and developed to improve the overall governance situation in Bangladesh.
The few key areas for consideration to indigenise the reform agenda set by this government and have the buy-in of the political parties are to ensure electoral reforms and strengthening the tools for anti-corruption - this is not exclusively the work of the ACC. The recommendations to amend the Representation of the People’s Order 1972, tabled by the Election Commission and the election dialogue with the two parties, has to be the focus of the work for the caretaker government for the remaining time in power. Bangladesh is facing a number of short to medium term problems with food security, falling rates of economic growth, fall in business confidence and investment climate but it also faces a number of long-term problems including climate change, uncertain global economic situation, religious extremism and stagnating human security.
The key questions for debate should be asked by the citizenry of Bangladesh to the leading political parties on its plans to tackle the above stated problems and policies which will shape the future of Bangladesh for the foreseeable future. But these problems can only be cogently solved through improved cooperation between the leading political actors, civil society, bureaucracy and the international community. The need for a ‘national unity’ government is vital for the sustainability of the reform efforts initiated by the caretaker government along with facing global challenges which will be key to sustaining good economic growth of the past ten years. “The assessment of the state of governance in Bangladesh for 2007 remains mixed, as it has been termed the ‘year of change’ and, although immediate impacts can be ascertained, long-term effects are not readily identifiable. Additionally, it is characterised by a series of paradoxes: an undemocratic administration working to improve conditions for a stable, accountable, transparent, democracy; a weakening economy in the face of better governance; and a generally supportive public that has been denied fundamental human rights and basic necessities”.
The author is working in a research capacity for a private University in Bangladesh.
The views expressed in this write-up are the exclusive views and thoughts of the author and does not reflect his affiliation with any institution or organisation.
