Course code : GED2211

Course Titel: Bangladesh Studies

Submitted By
Md. Ikram Hossin
(ID: 07200203558)
st
(1 Semester, Batch-54, Summer 2020)
Department Of LAW
Northern University Bangladesh

Submitted To
Md. Rabiul Islam
(Senior Lecturer)
Department Of GED
Northern University Bangladesh

Date of Submission : 08.09.2020

1. Introduction

Recently the terms 'good governance' is being increasing used in development literature. A dramatic change
has come in public administration and the paradigm shift towards good governance. Day by day, the
intellectuals, bureaucrats and civil society members are accepting the spirit of the concept and conceptualizing
it in their own experience and environment. In Bangladesh, all the internal and external actors of politics,
administration and development are emphasizing on the need for good governance. Today it is not only
academic issue rather it is being discussed in aid forum and executive meeting and discussions. But actual
picture of governance in our country does not prove to be good and satisfactory. Accountability of
government and administration is at bay. Democratization and human right are being disrupted in many ways.
This assignment is a presentation of the concept good governance, elements of good governance, good
governance in Bangladesh and role of actors to gain good governance in present situation in Bangladesh. The
assignment is based on secondary information, which includes recent publications, journals, books, and
research reports. Relevant literature has also collected through Internet browsing. It is expected that the
findings of the study would be helpful for concerned organizations for creating awareness and undertaking
active programs to improve governance.

Objectives of the Study

This study has been made with the following objectives;

1. To develop an understanding of perspectives, issues and concerns around good governance.
2. To analyze the current state of governance in Bangladesh.
3. To diagnose the major obstacles on the path of good governance in Bangladesh.
4. To suggest some policy and institutional measures ensure good governance in Bangladesh.

2. Discussion About Good Governance:

Before we start talking about good governance in Bangladesh, we need to know what is good governance
means and the qualities of good governance. Good governance is a subset of governance, wherein public
resources and problems are managed effectively and in response to critical needs of society. Effective
democratic forms of governance rely on public participation, accountability and transparency. There are 8
(eight) parameters of good governance. Those are:-

1. Effectiveness.
2. Equity.
3. Rule of law.
4. Transparency.
5. Accountability
6. Participation.
7. Consensus Orientation.
8. Responsiveness

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 Figure 1: Major parameters of good governance

Effectiveness Responsiveness

Good
Equity Consensus
Governance Orientation

Rule of Law
Participation

Transparency Accountability

3. Elements of good governance: Bangladesh point of view:

It is important to discuss these characteristics and elements to learn how flexible today's situation of
Bangladesh for promoting good governance.

3.1 Participation

Participation of people in decision making process is an integral thing of good governance. Contribution could
be either immediate or through institutions or associates. The civil population has an influential involvement
in decision making in Bangladesh. But the political culture is not good enough to support this positive affect.
The media play bias role sometime because of their own interests. Involvement should be educated and
organized. But the role of civil population and corporations are either challenging or overlooked by the
insurance plan makers.

3.2 Rule of law

Rule of legislation is a precondition of good governance. To ensure good governance in status a fair and
impartial legal framework is essential. Additionally, it calls for cover of human privileges. Impartial
enforcement of laws and regulations requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible
administrative system. However the situation is much less easy as we can easily see in Bangladesh. The
Berlin-based international anti-corruption firm, Transparency International (TI) released its gross annual
Corruption Conception Index (CPI) for 2008 on Sept 2008. The index provides global rank of countries in
terms of political and administrative corruption. It demonstrated that Bangladesh have scored 2. 1 items in a
scale of 0-10, and has continued to be placed low - 10th from below, which is 147th among 180 countries.
Bangladesh was earlier placed at the very bottom level of the list for the fifth successive year from 2001-2005.
In 2006 Bangladesh was placed in no 3, and this past year 7th.

3.3 Transparency

Transparency is the best way to take decisions and to enforce them within rules and regulations. To promote
transparency in decision making process, it's important to make the information available and accessible to the
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people who will be damaged by such decisions and their enforcement. It also requires that enough information
should be provided in easily understandable varieties and media. The issue with Bangladesh is the fact most
of the peoples are illiterate and do not get access to information. Poverty is the primary cause of illiteracy and
ignorance. They don't have clear idea about general population service. The federal government officials are
not interested to market rural peoples with sociable services like education, health, sanitation, and other social
services. It is because of insufficient transparency in public sector.

3.4 Responsiveness

Reasonable timeframe is essential to serve good governance to its themes. All processes and steps should
maintain proper time to provide proper management. The execution of projects in Bangladesh is very slow-
moving in comparison with other growing countries. For instance, Japan's future development assistance to
Bangladesh reaches risk as the federal government has failed poor implementation of Japanese-funded
projects. The slow execution of tasks is also slowing down the disbursement of Japanese lending options
focused on development projects in Bangladesh. Japan International Assistance Firm (JICA), the development
arm of the world's second major economy, examined that japan authorities could disburse only 30 % of its
focus on to invest 12 billion yen (around US$ 130 million) to put into practice the ongoing JICA-funded
project. "Japan is currently worried about how exactly the government would meet up with the rest of the 70
% of the target in next 90 days, " said Mayumi Endow, older representative of JICA.

3.5 Consensus oriented

There are several stars in a given world. Good governance requires negotiation of the several interests of those
actors in society to reach a wide agreement in society on what is in the best interest of the complete
community and how this can be fulfilled. It also requires a wide and long-term point of view for sustainable
human development. A knowledge of the social and public contexts of an society can only just provide such
consensus. In the case of Bangladesh, the gap between the rich and poor is too big and it impacts the harmony
of the social agreements. Economic condition hampers the connection between the classes in the culture. It is
stated that the urban citizens are eating the almost all of the facilities provided by the federal government
where rural people are deprived of basic needs such as clear water, proper sanitation, infrastructural facilities,
and quality education and so forth. This deprivation results an imbalance in world. We can compare the
literacy rate between rural and metropolitan human population to justify the realities. The Literacy Evaluation
Review (LAS) 2008, conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Information (BBS), exhibited that the rural
people remain lagging behind in education than the urban people. Only 46. 4 % adult rural populace (15 years
and above) is literate, 10. 3 per cent less than the metropolitan literacy rate of 56. 7 per cent. The LAS 2008
revealed that the richest people are the most literate than other wealth-level group in the world. Total 76 per
cent of the richest are literate in the country accompanied by 64 % of the abundant, 51 per cent of the middle
class, 39 per cent of the poor and 28 per cent poorest.

3.6 Equity and inclusiveness

A society's wellness depends on ensuring that all its associates should feel their presence in the culture.
Particularly the most vulnerable, should have prospects to boost their condition. This concept is much more
likely related with the concept of agreement between the stars of the culture. It depends upon the socio-
economic culture of any country.

3.7 Effectiveness and efficiency

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The more General public administration will be useful, the greater good governance will be provided. The
public institutions should provide services with effectiveness and efficiency. This is a basic requirement of
good governance. Your choice making process have to meet the needs of culture while making the best use of
resources. The idea of efficiency in the framework of good governance also protects the sustainable use of
natural resources. Corruption and bureaucratic complexity are great obstacles to help make the public
procedures effective and effective in Bangladesh. Another reason behind the indigent management system is
political instability. The long-term jobs are being hampered by the politics instability in Bangladesh.

3.8 Accountability

Accountability is a key responsibility of good governance. It is determined by the transparency and the
guideline of law. Not merely governmental organizations but also the private sector and civil contemporary
society must be responsible to the public and their institutional stakeholders. Accountability provides better
service and stops corruption in organizations. That is why a business or an organization should be accountable
to those who'll be affected by its decisions or activities. The problems with poor governance in Bangladesh
are almost interrelated and interdependent. The politics culture and socio-economic point of view of this
country is not and only accountable supervision and general public services. The federal government in
Bangladesh is accountable to its things through the nationwide parliament, for occasion. But in reality,
parliament remains inactive all the year round. It is seen that the majority always want to dominate the other
politics parties. Plus the opposition parties are not getting involved with constructive criticism. Private sector
is pretty much accountable nevertheless they make an effort to get benefit for the political problems. Civil
society and the mass media are now a lot more strong and they have impact on your choice making procedure
for the government. But it is common that this ability is often used for the interest of some communities
somewhat than for the normal citizens.

4. Current Overview Of Good Governance in Bangladesh:

The Bangladesh constitution provides for all the elements essential for good governance, though the country
is yet to fully develop right policies, environment, institutions, capacity and practice of good governance.
Despite returning to parliamentary democracy following a mass movement for democracy in 1990, and
subsequent free and fair elections under neutral caretaker governments, the establishment of democratic
norms and practices has not been smooth in the country. Democratic governance, which alone can safeguard
the constitutional rights and interests of the common citizens and ensure better performance of the state
functionaries, is still missing.

Bangladesh is a developing country of South Asia. It gained freedom in 1971 from Pakistan after nine month
long conflict. Bangladesh has a parliamentary democracy, where the president is the head of the state. But the
Prime Minister, as the top of the government, forms the case and performs the daily affairs of their state. The
main aim of the war of freedom was the monetary and social independence. It really is still stay a dream as a
result of political instability and insufficient long-term planning and execution. Now the country is
crisscrossed by various problems such as over populace, widespread terrorism, political crisis, bureaucratic
corruption, economic recession, serious common poverty, and an increasing danger of environmental
pollution. It really is true that all this problems are interrelated and inter based mostly in a few ways. The
population problem is the major which influences the other problems. Politics instability creates pub for
taking necessary steps to provide justice and guideline of laws. In addition, about 40 percent of total human
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population is suffering from serious poverty. The financial growth is leaner in comparison to the other
producing countries. The other major obstacle to progress is the corruption which directly affects the image of
the united states to the rest of the world and also to the investment. It leads the country to administrative
weakness and poor governance. The environmental pollution including air, water and land pollution leads the
country to increasing floods and cyclone. Only 17 percent of the total land is forest and the ratio is going
down day by day. Due to over inhabitants, Dhaka, the administrative center city is currently one of the highest
polluted cities on the planet. For last few years, Bangladesh is known as to be most vulnerable to climate
change. It'll have an impact on food and agriculture, normal water and human being’s health. It is believed
that a lot of people are going to be climate refugee because of growing sea level. The road and transport
systems are not good here because of the lack of good administration on the road contractions. The transport
systems are too bad. This occurs because of the lack good governance.

Figure 2: The state of governance effectiveness

(Source: World Wide Governance Indicator, World Bank)

Good governance requires that administration to purchase people to protect their welfare. This consists of
invest in health care, nutrition, housing, education, and poverty elevation etc. In general, a positive economic
environment is necessary to serve the country effectively and successfully.

5. The main issues and problems for ensuring good governance in Bangladesh:

At present, Good governance in Bangladesh is far from the actual consonance of the term. There are several
factors and issues that are constraining the very process of good governance. The major factors are corruption,
inefficiency of bureaucracy, politicization of administration, non-observance of the rule of law etc. The main
issues and problems for ensuring good governance in Bangladesh are bellows:

5.1 Corruption: Corruption is a big obstacle in the way of good governance in Bangladesh. Corruption has
become so rampant that Bangladesh currently belongs to the world's leading corrupt nations. It promotes the
interest of a few oval many rampant corruptions slow down the investment and growth. It prevented a fair
distribution of national wealth and broadened the gap between rich and poor. Which is most dangerous is that
it is mainly responsible for the breakdown of law and order in the country.

5.2 Inefficiency of Bureaucracy: Bureaucracy is inevitable in any society or state, an inseparable part of an
organized society. But the bureaucracy of Bangladesh is not efficient in management and administration. The
capacity of policy implementation of our bureaucracy is very poor. Bureaucrats are not accountable and
transparent to the people. Lack of bureaucratic accountability can be attributed inter-alia to bureaucratic
corruption. But there is no effective mechanism to make them accountable and transparent.

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5.3 Political interference in administration: In our country administration is always to work and the
influence of party in power. So, here nepotism is widespread and administration is always unfair. The
administration cannot take any free and fair decision. Sometimes, political influence breech factionalism in
the administration which in turn results in demoralization, utter negligence of work and often serious tension
among the bureaucrats. Ministers, especially those with greater political strength and influence and initiative,
tended to stress their overall supervisory role to dominate and direct those in administration who versed under
them, from secretaries downwards. In such situations the ministers virtually inclined to act as executive heads
of their ministries, though they did not have to take the responsibilities either of the executive head or the
principal accounting officer responsibilities which still technically and substantially remained with the
secretaries.

5.4 Nepotism: Nepotism is another curse of our politics and administration. The rules in our country pursue
nepotism. They give privilege and under advantage to their family members, kiths and kins on public
resources. So the mass people remain after regime.

5.5 Improper use of resources: The fund flow in Bangladesh is not smooth the local government, especially
the union perished. Beside, this fund is not utilized properly and very often diverted to other purposes. So, the
ordinary people cannot get efforts, if any, of ensuring good governance.

6. Role of actors to gain good governance in present situation in Bangladesh:

Good governance can be assured only by the active participation of all the organs of the society. Let see the
role of key actors of the country to set up better governance:

6.1 Role of Parliament to promote good governance: In a democratic system, parliament is the key point to
ensure good governance. The accountability of the executive power is ensured by the parliament. In
Bangladesh, the role of parliament is most important. The parliament exercises its power to control over the
government. The ministers along with the prime minister are accountable to the parliament for their actions.
This accountability ensures the transparency of the government. Moreover, the opposition parties can criticize
the actions of the government and can take part in the decision making process. This is why, in a democratic
system, parliament can play a significant role to improve the quality of governance. Parliamentary debates are
strong way to justify a decision whether it is good for the nation or not. These debates help government to
purify their planning and actions. This is also a chance for the oppositions to express their opinions towards
the decision.

6.2 Role of the civil society: Civil society is a strong actor in the field of democracy. Democratic system
requires role of its actors to provide the facilities to the citizens. The civil society can play prominent role to
ensure proper management system of the public services. The organizations and the media are part of civil
society and they have influence on public policy as they can motivate peoples to support or to oppose a public
decision. But it is a matter of great regret that the civil society in Bangladesh is divided for own interest. The
neutrality of media is necessary to provide the peoples with the information. Political culture of Bangladesh is
not in favor of the factor. However, a change is being happened over years. Peoples are now more conscious
about their rights and responsibilities.

6.3 Role of Private Sector: The private sector can play a more active role for good governance. Corporate
bodies and business houses can set clear and enforceable policies against corruption. Business house
management can emphasis on business ethics to ensure minimal standards of the organization. The positive

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environment in business and economy can attract foreign investment. The private organizations also have
influence on major reforms of the government. They can express their opinion to promote good governance.

6.4 Role of Institutions: Institution can guide the society and the power of the state toward gaining good
governance. For this, existing institutions should be strengthened by laws and regulations and should be more
independent. Political appointment destroys the independence of the institutions like the Human Rights
Commissions, Anti-Corruption Commission, Law commission, Media and Press Commission.

6.5 Role of Media: The growth in the number of private electronic and print media outlets in Bangladesh has
increased. This is because not just the amount of information available but also for the quality of media.
Media is now a strong actor in Bangladeshi in social and economic culture. The media can prevent corruption
by naming and shaming the individuals and organizations. Even in developing countries, where corruption is
accepted as a necessary evil, naming and shaming tactic has been effective in recent years. The media is
strong enough to generate outrage among the people and can use the power to control and eradicate corruption
and maladministration. There is of course chance to use the power in wrong way. However, it is proved that
the role and power of media in the society is essential for establishing good governance.

7. Conclusion:

Good governance is a must for the overall development of Bangladesh. But the current state of governance in
Bangladesh is dismal as almost all the aspects of good governance are unfortunately absent in the country.
The major institutions of governance like political parties, parliament, bureaucracy and judiciary existing in
our country are not truly effective. There is a severe lack of transparency both in government and
administration. The mechanisms of information gathering, storage and retrieval have fallen into disuse. In the
absence of any system of bottom up reporting from the field and top-down supervision, systems of
accountability within government remain virtually non-existent. As a result, there is no basis on which to hold
anyone accountable if anything goes wrong within any part of government. Although some progress can be
found, but the process is very slow. In the circumstances, the hope of good governance needs struggle of all
organs of the state including political parties, civil society, mass media and NGOs. Awareness among the
citizen is required as they should have strong demand for good governance. Bangladesh needs development in
economy. The democracy should be institutionalized. The government should fulfill the basic needs of the
people. All these initiatives will be supportive and inspired if the initiative to promote good governance is
speed up.

References:

1. World Bank Report (1993), http:www.worldbank.org/publicsector/overview.htm.

2. Prime University Journal, ISSN: 1995-5332, Volume-6, Number-2, July-December: 2012
3. Rose,N. Powers of Freedom: Reforming Political Thought, Cambridge University Press.
4. Kjaer,A.M.(2005) Governance, Polity Press, Cambridge, pp. 3
5. Hossain, M.A. (2005) Good Governance in Bangladesh: Role of Parliament. http:unpan1uen.org/
intrdoc/groups/public/documents/other/unpan614209.