Report

on
Theory and practice of
good governance in Bangladesh

Abstract
Good Governance has become a popular concept figuring on the top of the list of concerns
of at agencies, governance, researches and the media particularly in the development
countries. This study attempts to recognize as well as discuss the theoretical background of
good governance as well as practice in Bangladesh.

The nature of the study requires combining analytical as well as empirical approaches in the
methodology. Accordingly both qualitative and quantitative information and data have been
required. In order to generate database of the study, all necessary information have also been
collected from deferent primary sources. Data have been analyzed and presented through the
use of necessary figures, tables and graphs.

The study comprises with five chapters. The first chapter deals with introductory.
The second chapter is attempted to identify and describe the salient features and scope of
good governance and analyze its necessity and importance. Some salient features of good
governance are of strategic importance and more in this regard are described briefly in this
chapter. Among these the accountability, transparency, predictability, peoples participation
and free and responsible media are mostly mentionable.
The third chapter mainly focuses on the existing situation regarding governance weakness
and problems of administration in Government Organization.
Forth chapter is briefly achievements and positive feature of Bangladesh Governance
Fifth chapter is about the data and findings.
The last chapter deals with suggestions and recommendations.

Chapter: I
Introduction

Background:
Good governess has become a popular concept figuring on the top of the list of concerns of
aid agencies, government, researches and the media particularly in the developing countries.
However, recently, several questions appear to continuing pertinence with regard to the use
of good governess as a policy metaphor: what exactly does it mean? Is it a universal concept
or does it vary from context to context? At the micro level, the term good governess has
deferent understanding to different people. Similarly, even at the macro level, this concept
has more than one meaning for countries concerned. The institutional characteristics for
managing development very significantly among countries and do not permit essay
generalization as often made by the international development partners.

The complexity arises from the unique imprint of history, geography, and cultural on each
countrys institutions, rules and multidimensional nature of governance as a concepts.
Because each individual country is a different level of political, economic and social
development reflecting a wide array of historical and geographical and culture factors.
Therefore, inventions for good governance suggested for a country by the international
development partners may yield nothing if it is not applied to an individual country in its
own context. This study attempts to recognize as well as discuss the theoretical background
of Good Governance and its practice in Bangladesh.

Purpose of the study:

Bangladesh is a developing country. It needs to be efficient, capable, accountable,

responsible as well as transparent system to ensure good governance. Since, no socioeconomic development of Bangladesh can be fruitful without the well practices of good
governance. Hence, it is imperative in Bangladesh for the sake of her good future, fortune
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and total betterment. And somehow this betterment depends on the good relation and
cooperation of political parties both the ruling and opposition party.

Since political culture is an important aspect of good governance. It is seen that the political
parties do not practice democracy neither among themselves nor with in their parties. The
government and the opposition are always in conflict. But the socio-economic development
of this country requires a good relationship among the major political parties. So, the
purposes of this research work are actually based on the topics mentioned above. The
following issues will be explored and analyzed in this study.

Review of literature:

Governance can be a confusing term. It has become an umbrella concept. But as a term it
gained currency very recently. Besides this fact, several works has been done earlier
regarding this issue.

Works has been done in the international arena by various researchers and scholars. Works
has also been done with in the country. Of them followings are mentioned.
Professor Rehman Sobhan, prominent economist in his famous book Bangladesh: problems
of governance have argued his views about governance where he attempted to present the
failure to establish representative institutions in Bangladesh. He also gave light to the nature
and spectrum of governance in Bangladesh. From the south Asia region Indian writers
attempted very well to recognized the criteria of good governance. V. A. P. Panandiker in
his book Problems of governance in South Asia covered the socio-political aspects of
good governance.

Kingsley De Silva in his book Problems of Governance (1993) scrutinized the working of
democracy and gave the opinion that demography and democracy will be the two major
challenges for countries for many decades to come.

Several journals and reports published by international organizations and various studies
done by different Universities also contributed along with periodicals, newspapers and
websites found from the internet.

Objectives of the study:

To identify and describe the features and scope of good governance.

Analyze the existing situation, weaknesses and problems regarding governance in

Bangladesh.

To analyze various aspects regarding governance and clarify them.

Suggests measures, recommendations and policy actions short term/long term to

improve governance in Bangladesh.

Significance of the study:

There is no alternative way of good government for the socio-economic development of
Bangladesh. Establishing rule of law, poverty allegation, and poverty eradication, smooth
running of the judiciary system, ensuring sound education system, raising awareness of the
common people in every side, good governance can play a vital role.

Bangladesh is considered to be one of the least developed countries of the world. For the
emancipation of the vicious cycle of least developed countries, Bangladesh needs a system
of good governance, which is essential for the betterment of the country. Nevertheless, the
World Bank has lauded the role of Bangladesh Supreme Court in ensuring good governance

and stressed the need for providing adequate support to the judiciary to make law
enforcement prompt and effective.

Political culture is an important aspect for good governance to run the economy in a
development norm. Another crucial factor in the process of evolving good governance in
Bangladesh is political leadership. The major parties should give more emphasis on merit
and sincerity in choosing proper persons in manning a political party.

Good governance, in respect of administration, is the quality of services and standard of

performance that would generally satisfy the needs and expectations of the people. Good
governance is needed not to satisfy the donors merely to get increased aid for us. We need it
to satisfy our own needs, as well as for the sake of economic development.

Limitation of Study:

The study was carried out engaging all available resources with sincerity, honesty and the
archived knowledge on the research methodology. In spite of all efforts the following
limitations might a affect to sum extent the degree of accuracy and generalization of the
results of the study.
The main limitation of the study was time constraints, which may affect the quality of
data.
Authors personal judgment and opinion may affect the process of discussion and
recommendations.

 Good governess is an umbrella concepts and illusive as well. So as a new and vague at
the same time multidimensional concept it was tough to relate with the topics and to
make the respondents familiar with the issue.
Above all, the sample size was taken very small to complete the study within the
stipulated period of time which might not be a good representative sample of the
population.

Methodology
The nature of the study requires combining analytical and empirical approaches in the
methodology. Accordingly, both quantities and quantitative information and data have been
required. In order to generate database of the study, all necessary information have been
collected from different primary and secondary sources. Data have also been analyzed
presented through the use of necessary figures, tables and charts.

Chapter: II
Good governance: A Theoretical Analysis

The goal of governance initiatives should be to develop capacities that are needed to realize development that
gives priority to the poor, advances women, sustains the environment and creates needed opportunities for
employment and other livelihoods.
UNDP1994 Initiatives for change.
Internet:http://www.unescap.org.

Recently the terms governance and good governance are being increasing used in
development literature. A dramatic change has come in public administration and the
paradigm shift towards good governance and sustainable developments. Day by day, the
intellectuals, bureaucrats and civil society members are accepting the sprit 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.

Good governance is almost imperative for socio-economic development of Bangladesh

establishment rule of law, poverty alleviation; smooth running of the judiciary system,
ensuring sound education system, raising awareness of the common people in every side,
good governance can play a vital role. This chapter attempted to identify and describe the
salient features and scope of good governance and analyze its necessity and importance for
development.

1.1 Concept of Governance:

The term governance means different things to different people. Governance is defined by
UNDP as the exercise of political, economic and administrative authority to manage a
societys affairs.

The concept of governance is concerned directly with the management of the development
process, involving both the public and the private sectors. It encompasses the functioning
and capability of the public sector, as well as the rules and institutions that create the
framework for the conduct of both public and private business, including accountability for
economic and financial performance, and regulatory frameworks relating to companies,
corporations and partnerships.

The Oxford dictionary defined governance as the act or manner of governing of exercising
control or authority over the actions of subjects and a system of regulations.
To accommodate the broadly defined governance proposed here, one has to go beyond the
conventional definition and composition of state look at either its formal and informal
constituents or organs. Schematically this is shown next page through comparison in figures
I and II.

Figure I: Conventional Definition and Composition of state

Parliament

Local
Govt.
Bodies
A
Parliament

Govt.

B
Govt.

Pvt.
Sector

C
F

C
Judiciary

D
E

Civil
Society

Judiciary Civil Society Local Govt. Pvt. Sector

.

Figure I: conventional state

Figure II: State Redefined

It is argued that modern nation states in their early stage and for many years subsequently,
remained responsible for Governance only or mainly through formal organs as represented
by A, B, C in Figure 1. Private sector 0f business and industries and the community based
organizations (civil society) either exist in their fledgling conditions or are not-existent at
this stage, while local government bodies are used as mere adjuncts of the government
branch lacking autonomous existence. Though all three organs of state exercise powers
and discharge functions of governance, it is the executive branch the government
which plays the dominant role because of its sponsoring of legislation, enforcement of laws
and undertaking of multifarious activities, both regulatory and developmental.

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Governance may be characterized in three types

1.1.1 Decentralized Governance:

In this type of governance the administrative structure is divided into various stages, areas,
persons as well as the institutions so that the activities of the central level may be reduced.
Decentralized governance is appropriate for ensuring peoples participation. However, this
type of governance somewhat failed in ensuring positive response to its concerned activities
in some developing countries. Hence, emerged the shared governance concept.

1.1.2 Shared Governance:

In some parts of decentralized governance, the government somewhat failed to perform its
duties smoothly, the private sector ultimately be allowed to accomplish those activities. For
instance, Non-Government organizations, industrial and commercial banks, political parties
etc. When this type of governance failed to performs its respective activities effectively, the
development planners thought that good governance would be capable to perform its
activities smoothly.
Poor/Bad governance:

Bad/Poor governance means the inefficient performance of state responsibilities for the
protection of the rights and interests of the people and delivery of services to meet the basic
needs of the people within the available resources of the country.

The fundamental aspect of bad governance is to violate the rule of law and deteriorate the
peoples right to participate in deciding the role on conduct of public institutions in shaping
their lives. It calls for reducing the scope for the common people to watch, debate and
influence laws, policies, actions and their outcomes in protecting and promoting their rights
and privileges.

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Syndromes of Poor/Bad Governance:

There are some syndromes for recognizing the poor/bad governance in our country.
Among these syndromes some are mentioned below:
Sharp income inequalities and intense distributional conflicts diminish the utility of a
democratic process and governance. This leads political instability and creation of room
for abuse of power by a selected privileged minority.
Concentration of power in the hand of political elite has created a space for violating the
rights of the rural poor.
Absence of internal democracy in the political parties creates platform for individuals to
become more important than policies to the erosion popular confidence in political
system.
Democracy is reduced to a luxury of a few when money and mafia exercise great
influence on election results.
Absence of proper checks and balance causes democracy to lose much of its efficiency.
With ignorance and pervasive poverty prevailing, democracy often locks the poor into a
patron-client relationship with their political representatives. Self-serving politicians
abuse ignorance of the electorates and make them perpetually dependent on them for any
social and economic services they seek from them.
1.1.3 Good Governance:
Since 1987, due to un-international standardized management, i.e. especially have some
countries in Latin America and Africa, the super state, World Bank has then proposed a
political term called good governance.

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In general sense, good governance means an ideal governing system that system that is
inevitable for political, economic, social and cultural development of a country. Ideal
governing system means the ideal orientation of a state the works best to achieve self
reliance, sustainable development and social justice and the ideal functioning of
government that operate that operate most efficiency.

UNDP defines it as: Good governance is, among other things, participatory, transparent
and accountable. It is also effective and equitable. And it promotes the rule of law. Good
governance ensure that political, social and economic priorities are based on broad
consensus in society and that the voices of the poorest and the most vulnerable are heard
in decision making over the allocation of the development resources.

Good governance means the efficient performance of state responsibilities for the protection
of the rights and interests of the people and delivery of services to meet the basic needs of
the people within the available resources of the country.

Good governance is being increasingly recognized as a requirement in the present global

context. In fact, good governance is what the people in general expect the government to do
for the people in respect of the problems that confront them in their day to day life. It is the
quality of services and standard of performance that would generally satisfy the needs and
expectations of the people. The perception of good governance may vary from country to
country, depending on their backgrounds and stages of development. The fundamental
aspects of good governance are to establish the rule of law and ensure peoples right to
participate in deciding the role and conduct of public institutions in shaping their lives. Good
governance, therefore, calls for enhancing the scope for the common people to watch, debate
and influence laws, policies, actions and their outcomes in protecting and promoting their
rights and privileges.

When we talk about good governance we in fact refer to the working relation among the
three organs of the state and actions of the executive branch of the state. In operational terms
these refer to enjoyment of fundamental human rights, independence of judiciary, abiding by
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the rules of law, policy based administrative dispensing, transparency, accountability,

predictability, effectiveness and efficiency of the government. Realizing the difficulties of
define good governance the overwhelming tendency has been to delineate aspects of the
good governance.

Aspect of good governance:

The Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has highlighted several aspects of the good
governance. Some of these include:

The promotion of the democracy and open pluralistic societies with free and fair
electoral process.

The strengthening of transparent, accountable, efficient and effective national and local
government.

The promotion of respect for human rights.

The reinforcement of rule of law, including fair and accessible legal and juridical
system.

The promotion of independent media and dissemination of information;

Anti-corruption initiatives; and

Efforts to reduce excessive military expenses.

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Characteristics of Good Governance:

There are various elements/components of Good Governance. But in the perspective of

Bangladesh, we think that the elements, those are of strategic importance and more relevant
in this regard are described briefly below:

1. Accountability:
Accountability is very essential to make the public officials answerable for their behavior
and responsive to the entity from which they derive their authority. This may be achieved
differently in different countries depending on the history, cultural milieu and value system
involved.

Accountability also means establishing criteria to measure the performance of public

officials, as well as oversight mechanism to ensure that the standards are met. Lack of
accountability tends in time to reduce the states credibility as an economic partner. It
undermines the capacity of governments to sustain the long-term business confidence
essential for growth enhancing private sector investment.

What accountability requires, however, is that the powers given to government are neither
absolute nor without limits. One of these limits on government is that these powers are
exercised in accordance with principles of good administration.

These principles require that public administration:

Must be honest and not corrupt

Must be conducted to serve the public at large, not the private interests of those in the
public service

Must observe good financial practice and

Must be efficient, responsive to the needs of the public

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2. Peoples participation:
The principal of peoples participation derives from an acceptance that people are at the
heart of development. They are not only the ultimate beneficiaries of development, but are
also the agents of development.
Peoples participation is often related to accountability, but not necessarily. So in
representative democracies, where citizens participate in government through the electoral
process, public officials are indeed, accountable ultimately to the electorate.

At the grass roots level peoples participation implies that government structures are flexible
enough to offer beneficiaries, and others affected, the opportunity to improve the design and
implementation of public programs and projects. This increases ownership and enhances
results. At a different level, the effectiveness of policies and institutions impinging on the
economy as a whole may require the broad support and cooperation of major economic
actors concerned.
Peoples participation in economic life by agents other than the state would cover not only
the role of the private sector, but also the activities (growing in recent times) of NGOs.
These elements of civil society offer an alternative means of channeling the energies of
private citizens. They can be helpful in identifying peoples interests, mobilizing public
opinion in support of these interests and organizing action accordingly.

All men and women should have a voice in decision-making, either directly or though
legitimate intermediate institutional that represent their interest. Such broad participation is
built on freedom of association and speech as well as capacities to participate constructively.

3. Transparency:

Transparency refers to the ability of information to the general public and clarity about govt.
rules, regulations and decisions. Thus, it both complements of reinforces predictability. The
16

difficulty with ensuring transparency is that only the generator of information may know
about it, and may limit access to it. Hence, it may be useful to strengthen the citizens rights
to information with a degree of legal enforceability.

Access to accurate and timely information about the economy and government policies can
be vital decision making by the private sector. On grounds of efficiency alone, such data
should be freely and readily available to economic agents.

Transparency in government decision making and public policy implementation reduce

uncertainty and can help inhabit computation among public officials. To this end, rule and
procedures that are simple, straightforward and essay to apply are preferable to those that
provide discretionary powers to government officials or that are susceptible to different
interpretations.

4. Predictability:

Predictability refers to the existence of laws, regulation and policies to regulate society and
their fair and consistent application. The importance of predictability cannot be overstated
since, without it, the orderly existence of citizens and institutions would be impossible. The
rule of law encompasses well-defined rights and duties, as well as mechanisms for enforcing
them and settling disputes in an impartial manner.

Predictability can be enhanced through appropriate institutional arrangements. F0r example,

it has been argued that an autonomous central bank could lead to more predictable monetary
and exchange rate policies. Many governments face the challenge of regulating money
supply, while pursuing expansionary fiscal policies to encourage investment.

5. Rule of law:

17

Good governance is built on the rule of law. Modern societies, especially those in cities, are
extremely complex. Those that remain organized and prosperous do so because rules and
expectations closely correlate to how administrative procedures and market function.

6. Responsiveness:

Institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders.

7. Consensus orientation:

Good governance mediates differing interests to reach a broad consensus on what is in the
best interests of the group and, where possible, on policies and procedures.

8. Equity & inclusiveness:

All men and women have opportunities to improve or maintain their well being.

9. Effectiveness and efficiency:

Processes and institutions produce results that meet needs while making the best use of
resources.

10. Strategic vision:

Leaders and the public have a broad and long-term perspective on good governance and
human development, along with a sense of what is needed for such development. There is
also an understanding of the historical, cultural and social complexities in which that
perspective is grounded.

18

Actually there is no complete and universal recognized satisfactory definition of good

governance. In this respect we should discussed the elements of good governance for better
and comprehensive idea of good governance.

11. Free and responsible Media:

One of the main points that have been highlighted several times in the Human Development
Report 2002 is that a free press is crucial for any democracy. Free presses performs the role
of a public watchdog and raises stimulating debates on economic policy, monitors elections,
exposes human rights abuses, political corruption and empower women.

For any democratic nation, a free media functions with responsibility as mandatory
institution. It represents the concerns of average citizen and reports on incidents of
corruption and injustice in the society.

In a democracy, a free press is a channel of information on the use of funds and a forum for
mobilizing public opinion and a bringing it to focus on abuses of funds. Like audit, it can
have a preventive deterrent effect as well as a transparency promoting detection effect.

Competition for circulation encourages sensationalism at the expense of objectivity.

Journalists need professional training in investigates journalism and journalistic ethics and
this would raise their credibility in reporting business and government affairs. Of all the
informal checks on the abuse of Executive power, the press is undoubtedly the most
important. An unfettered, virile and professional press is central to good democratic
governance.

19

Elements of good governance:

A number of multilateral organizations (e.g. UNDP, World Bank, OECD) and bilateral
organizations have reflected on the elements of good governance and on their relation to
development. Multilateral organizations generally equate good governance with sound
economic management based on

Accountability

Participation

Predictability and

Transparency

However, there are some bilateral donors who are not satisfied with this narrow economic
definition of god governance. They would like at least five more elements to be included as
an essential part of good governance, namely

Democratization

Human Rights

The rule of law

Cuts in military expenditure and

Probity

According to D. Bandyopadhyay, some of the main elements of good governance are:

Accountability both financial and political;

Transparency both financial and political;

Easy access to information;

Popular participation in decision making and implementation;

20

Responsiveness;

Efficient delivery system of services and goods;

Enforcement of rule of law supplanting the rule of whims and caprices of rulers whether
stipendiary or elected;

Client/ Citizen Satisfaction, and

An overall caring and humane ambience promoting an equalitarian and equitous social
and economic order.

Basic Principles of Good Governance:

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP- Governance and Sustainable Human
Development, 1977) has identified five basic principles of good governance, which are as
follows:

Legitimacy and voice:

All men and women should have a voice in decision-making either directly or through
legitimate intermediate institutions that represent their intention.
Direction:

Leaders and the public have a broad and long-term perspective on good governance and
human development, a long with a sense of what is needed for such development.

Performance:
Institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders and institution produce results that
meet needs while making the best use of resources.

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Accountability:
Decision-makers in government, the private sector and civil society organizations are
accountable to the public.

Fairness:
All men and women have opportunities to improve of maintain their well being and legal
framework should be fair and enforced impartially, particularly the laws on human rights.

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Chapter: III
Issues and problems of 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. We can discuss it in the context of
various organizations of our country:

01.

Legislative:

Bangladesh has had three general elections after the 1990, both of which were believed to
have been generally free and fair. But there are many problems have also remaining yet:
No effective Parliamentary Debate:

The official opposition party has boycotted the proceedings in the National Assembly for a
good part of the tenure of each of these two parliaments, thereby depriving the public the
benefit of parliamentary debate on issues of national interests.
Lengthy process in Law Making:

From the bill submit to the passing as a law our law making process is a lengthy process. In
addition our parliamentarians cannot make any updated laws that are more needed for our
nations.
MPs have no freedom of speech:
Article 70 of our constitution has preserved a rights that stopped the free speak of MPs
about a decision of his/her party. In addition MPs cannot vote against his/her partys
bills or decisions.

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 Ministers are less responsible:

Although our ministers have given answer of various questions asked by the Member of the
Parliament but it is just for official formalities. Their answers also not perfect and Data
oriented. They have answer as I will think later, considerable and so on that is not the
speech of a good ministers.
Weak Parliamentary Committee:

Our Parliamentary committees have just organized their routine meeting and discussions but
opposition parties have no strong role in there. They become out of the realm.
No strong criteria to be a parliamentarian:
In our country there are no qualitative criteria to become a Member of the Parliament. A lot
of our MPs are not highly educated. They have no any Political Background, not any clear
idea on Constitution, political ethics, political systems.
No involvement of Opposition in Budget:

Our opposition parties are not involved in the budget making process. If they have
participated directly to the Budget making process then Democratic good governance can be
ensure.

02. Executive:
Authoritarian Bureaucracy:

Our inherited bureaucracy is totally dominating as a tendency of authoritarian mentality.

Their actions are not transparent and they are not accountable to their Ministers as well as to
the people although they have named as Public Servants.
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 No effective Chain of Command:

There is no any perfect Chain of Command within the executive bodies. For this an
effective administration has yet to be implemented.
Lack of accountability and transparency:

Our Civil Servants have forgotten the system of accountability and transparency in their
administration. For this Red Tapism, corruption has become the features of their services.
Rampant Corruption:

The government Officials and Politician have corrupted after liberation of Bangladesh. One
other hand, as per TIB Report Bangladesh has become most corrupted country of the World
for consecutive 5 years. This picture says that how our executive department is corrupted.
Politicization of public Sector:

When a government is change then the new government changes its public servants
according the political background. As a result, it builds non professional, inefficiency and
corrupted public sector. This tendency has a great hindrance towards good governance.
Lack of evaluation authority:

Feedback system is more effective for evaluation of a system. But this system is not driven
in this country perfectly. For this, good governance is yet to be established.

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 Non professional management in public sector:

There is no dynamic and effective leadership in administration to manage the public sector.
But in Western World they are more emphasize in public sector management. It is so poor in
our country.

Restrict to access information:

General peoples, journalist, media and researchers can not simply collect/ obtain information
from govt. office due to Official Secrete Act enforcement. Consequently, it creates
corruption of the country.

03. Judiciary:
No Independence of Judiciary:

Independent judiciary is one of the pillars of the good governance. But about 36 years have
passed after the liberation of Bangladesh Independence of Judiciary is still hanging to
implement by the political Government. From 2008 Judiciary bodies separation from
Executive bodies implemented by the caretaker government.

In addition there is no

OMBUDSMAN in our judicial system.

Political Influence on Judicial Appointment:

Our judges are appointed by the influence of our politicians. Thats why they cannot practice
their profession independently without any pressure of the running government. For this
neutral judgment is seriously affected by politics. For instances, Government try to interfere
on lower court.
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 Loopholes in Judicial Law:

Our most of the Laws are inherited from the British. Almost all Criminal Laws are derived
from 1898 Act. Others proceedings are derived from 1905 Act. So it is no updated with the
modern age regarding with the problems of the people. For this loopholes in judicial laws
make free a criminal from the jail.
No Judicial Review System:

American President is the most powerful man in the world but he has a checks and balance
by the Judicial Review of Supreme Court. But in Bangladesh there is no any judicial review
system. For this, Minister, High Officials, Legislatures are become far from their illegal
orders and actions.
High Corruption in Lower Court:

In 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 TIB report on corruption shows that Lower Court of
Bangladesh is the second or third sector of the country. So, how good governance would be
ensuring within these injustices.

04. Financial Institutions:

Low Revenue Collection:

In 36 years of Bangladesh there were no profitable positions of NBR (National Revenue

Board). But why? Because of the corruption. In addition, state owned enterprises also are
with a continuous loss.

27

 No accountability in Relief:

We have already faced three great floods in 36 years of Bangladesh. In 1988, 1998 and
2001. But Government has no any transparent statements on relief distribution. These large
amounts of money are remaining out of our Economic Development.
Government Expenditure is not transparent:

All governments have taken some decision that was proved later as a wrong. Such types of
Expenditure are not helpful for our economic development.

05. Public Amenities:

PDB, DESA, WASA of our country is fully in loss for their rampant corruption and their
traditional system.
NGOs are not fully transparent and practically committed to develop human welfare.
Universities and other educational institutions also become closed due to vary student
movements, Strikes etc.
PSC also did not achieve the faith of a transparent appointment in administration.

06. Inadequacy of democracy process:

Election is an important process in democracy. It brings legitimacy to the governments
activities. Democratic rule is now prevailing in Bangladesh. Re- establishment of democracy
is the main aspect of fifth and seventh National Parliamentary election. The 1991
parliamentary election can be considered as a free, fair and impartial that was held under the
28

caretaker government headed by Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, former Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court. After the election of 1991, Bangladesh National Party (BNP) achieved
power and Bangladesh Awami League (AL) emerged as the main opposition party. But a
few days later the main opposition AL was absent from the parliament. The opposition
member boycotted the parliament sessions for nearly ten months demanding a constitutional
amendment providing for holding of every general election to parliament under an impartial
caretaker government, on 28 December1994 they resign from parliament.

06. Political leadership:

Good governance depends on the quality of leadership. For a nation, political leadership is
crucial in shaping its destiny. But in Bangladesh dynamic and quality leadership are also
absent.

07. Institutions of the governance:

The parliament, the executive, civil service and the judiciary are the key institutions of the
government in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, these institutions have been declined enormously
in quality over the last few years.

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Chapter: IV
Achievements and positive feature of Bangladesh Governance

Reducing Poverty:

Bangladesh has made significant progress in reducing poverty and improving the lives of its
people. However, nearly half of its population of 135 million stills lives below the poverty
line.

Advancement in Family Planning:

During 1990 to 2000 decade, the population growth rate was brought down to an annual
average of 1.5 percent- a major social achievement and an essential requirement for poverty
reduction.

Increasing Economic Growth:

In the 1990s alone, poverty in Bangladesh shrank by 9 percent, stemming in large part from
strong, sustained economic growth , with an average annual GDP increase of almost 5
percent and a rise in real per capita GDP of 36 percent, or twice the average rate of other
low- and middle-income countries. Now our average GDP is 5 to 6.5.

30

Increasing Literacy Rate:

Literacy was increased by 12.5 percent, and the country reached parity between boys and
girls in primary school enrollment. Now our literacy rate is 66%.

Improvement in Modern Amenity:

Recently, Bangladesh has made significant progress in controlling expenditures, mobilizing

revenues, closing loss- making state enterprises, and exerting more discipline on other stateowned better balance- a major requirement to free up more money to be spent on of
budgetary spending is on health and education during the 1990s.

Independent Media:

Another positive side in Bangladesh Governance is that there is a full of independence in

Print as well as Electronics Media. About 30

National Newspapers both English and

Bangla, 6 Private TV Channel, 2 Private Radio Channel is operating in this country with out
any pressure of the Government. Besides, BTV and Bangladesh Betar is still remaining the
mouthpiece of the Government. Viewers of Bangladesh also watch various news channels
like BBC, CNN, Al-Zazira etc. without any restrictions.

Women Empowerment:
In last one decade our women have empowered them by various governments initiatives
such as free Cost of Education up to Intermediate level, monthly allowance for girls
students, education in elderly etc. Role of womens are significant in Local Government
bodies, work with various government department including Medical, Defense, High
Commission, Human Right etc. And also work with private sector.
31

Good International Relations:

Bangladesh has a good term with most of the countries of the world. From the developed
side USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, European Union, Middle East, Japan, China,
Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, India as well as Pakistan etc.

32

Chapter: V
Data and Findings

In the introductory chapter (I), after reviewing the existing literatures on good governance,
several hypotheses were taken. On the basis of those assumptions about the disputes and for
carrying out the study a questionnaire and later on, based on that questionnaire, a survey has
been done.

The questionnaire is attached in the appendix. The questionnaire was made by taking the
hypothesis-into consideration. Then a pilot survey was done. Finally a survey was done
among a sample size of so people. People from different occupations- were taken as
respondents. Total 10 questions were asked. It was a combination of both open and close
ended question.
Table: 1
Nature of occupation

Frequency

Percentage

Student

19

38%

Teacher

09

18%

Civil Society

11

22%

Bureaucrat

03

06%

Others

08

16%

Total:

50

100%

Above table shows the information about the sample that taken for the survey. We can see
that questions were asked from several occupational groups of people. Based on their
selected options i.e. opinions and we find the followings findings:
Findings 1: The most efficient way to ensure independence of judiciary

33

After rule of law comes the issue of independence of judiciary. Now question comes upon
what this independence depends the most options in this connection are given about the
recruitment process of judges, morality of judges and the political influence over judges.
Table: 2
Opinion

Frequency

Percentage

Neutral recruitment of judges

19

38%

Impartial mentality of judges

18

36%

Political influence free judgment

13

26%

50

1oo%

Total:

Findings 2: Causes of political corruption in Bangladesh

Table- 3
Opinion

Frequency

Percentage

Lack of democratic practice within the party

13

26%

Low political culture

15

30%

Greed of power

22

44%

50

100%

Total:

From table we see that most people found greed of power behind the political corruptions.
26% said that lack of democratic practice is responsible for political corruption, 30% found
law political culture is behind the corruption. But majority argued about the greed power. As
it is a close ended questionnaire so, several options might be lost
Findings 3: The most crucial factor to establish rule of law in Bangladesh:

For good governance establishment of rule of law is a must. The given criteria for this are:

Table- 4

34

Opinion

Frequency

Percentage

Independent judicial system

24

48%

Impartiality in the recruitment of judges

09

18%

Effectiveness of law enforcement organization

17

34%

50

100%

Total:

Table shows that almost half of subject thinks that independence of judiciary is the most
dominant factor to establish rule of law. Second is the effectiveness of law enforcement
organization. The lowest is of the opinion that impartially in the recruitment of judges can
ensure the establishment of law.

Findings 4: Reason behind the violation of human rights in Bangladesh

Protection of human right is a foremost criteria to establish good governmental system.

Violation of human rights is a sign of bad governance.

The reason behind the violation of human rights is shown below:

Table- 5
Opinion

Frequency

Percentage

Lack of Awareness

12

24%

Misuse of power

11

22%

Failure of the government

27

54%

50

100%

Total:

35

The above table indicates that maximum subjects are the opinion that more than half of the
subjects that it is the failure of the government to protect human rights. But surprisingly
more people are argued that lack of awareness is more crucial factor than power misuse by
the government.

This may be caused by the small sample size and may be a little unrepresentative than
reality.

Findings 5: Transparency and accountability

For establishing of good governance transparency and accountability is must. To ensure

these the following options are given to the respondents.

Table- 6
Opinion

Frequency

Percentage

Ombudsman system

08

16%

Free press and media

21

42%

Revealing the financial status of political parties

21

42%

50

100%

Total:

From the above table we can get a conclusion that both freedom and liberty of press and
media along with the transparent financial status of the political parties and politicians are
equally important for establishing of good governance.

Findings 6: Leadership crisis and good governance

Good governance, to a great extent depends upon the quality of leadership. The extent on
that leadership crisis effects good governance is given below:

36

Table- 7
Opinion

Frequency

Percentage

Failure in decision making

17

34%

Misuse of power

23

46%

Lack of democratic values

10

20%

50

100%

Total:

From the above table we can say that leadership failure is a great problem in the way of
good governance. Of them, 46% argues that misuse of power is greatly responsible for the
crisis. Failure of decision making by the leaders make the situation more complicated.

Findings7: Influential obstacle in the way of establishing good governance

The result of this question has been derived from a close ended questionnaire. So the result
can be a bias one and non-representative.
Table- 8
Opinion

Frequency

Percentage

Corruption

20

40%

Administrative inefficiency

09

18%

Political incapability

21

42%

50

100%

Total:

From table # 8 we found that most of the subjects are divided into almost two equal parts
finding corruption and political incapability as the two major obstacles in the way of

37

sustaining a healthy, governance friendly environment, 18% of the subjects are of the
opinion that administrative in efficiency in an obstacle in the way of attaining good
governance.
Findings 8: Most crucial for good governance

The first question was asked that what is most important for good governance. The result
found is given below in the table:
Table- 9
Opinion

Frequency

Percentage

Rule of law

23

46%

Independence of judiciary

10

20%

Accountability

10%

Others

12

24%

50

100%

Total:

We found from the survey that most of the people found rule of law as most important for
establishing good governance. 46% of people are of the opinion of the favour of the rule of
law. 20% have chosen independence of judiciary as the most important criteria to maintain
good governance. Others as an open ended choice mentioned several other factors like
transparency, good political culture, honesty of the politicians, administrative efficiency etc.
important to build a good governance system.

We all know that good governance is that umbrella concept. So to decide only one criteria or
factor to sustain this is quite impossible.
Findings 9: The department in which good governance depend the most

38

Good governance depends on the effective working of the three department of the
government. Now comes to the question that, what department is very integral. It can be
known from the table below:

Table- 10
Opinion

Frequency

Percentage

Executive

18

36%

Legislative

19

38%

Judiciary

13

26%

50

100%

Total:

Above table describes the fact that actually all the three departments are almost actually all
the three departments are almost equally important for the good working of the government.
The final question was an open ended question which was asked to all the 50 subject i. e.
respondents that what is their general view about good governance.

As we know, good governance is an umbrella concept which covers almost all the aspect of
socio-political and economic life i. e. the total national life of people. Everyone has his or
her own opinion in this issue which covered almost all factors including rule of law,
transparency and accountability, independence of judiciary, protection of human rights and
finally all the three departments of government and their effective working.

As a concept, good governance is a vast one so we found various dimension and

perspectives regarding that and almost all of them are equally important to establish good
governance.

39

Chapter: VI
Recommendation on observation and conclusion

On the basis of observations, the author has listed some recommendations for the prospects
of good governess in Bangladesh. The recommendations are given below:

1. The ruling party and the opposition party must not behave like enemies and they should
have harmony and co-operation among them.
2. The bureaucracy, both civil and military must function under control of the elected
representative of the peoples.
3. The judiciary should be separated from the executive and they should make a check and
balance between the two.
4. Rule of law would be institutionalized in the society to ensure peoples right.
5. Accountability and transparency will have to be established in all the levels of
administration and elected officials.
6. The political leadership should be honest and committed to ideology.
7. Free, fair and neutral election would be organized.
8. Sustain of equity and equity and equality in the society.
9. Promotion of gender balance and women empowerment.
10. Freedom of mass media i.e. press, radio and television
11. The political leaders and government officials must be corrupted free.
12. Establish of human rights.

40

Conclusion
Consensus on essential national issues and political stability will have to be restored in order
to improve the performance of good governance in Bangladesh. The agenda for redefining
the role of the state is, however of special importance in Bangladesh. The government
should perform the guiding principles and accountability will have to be established at all
tiers of administration from the top to bottom. The current leadership in both the ruling and
the principal opposition party has shown little inclination to induct new blood into their
parties or to reconstruct the political culture of their parties. The perspective of two leaders
to governance is not without importance since both leaders function as arbiters of the
direction of their parties. Each person in the government (legislature, Executive and
Judiciary) and each position members of parliament (MP) will have to all the points
transparent for their activities to the electorate. Such a new direction of public affairs
demands that neither the government nor the opposition and their supporters seek to
interfere with the administrative process. Nevertheless, it would be necessary to evolve a
national consensus between the parties in government and in opposition on some basic items
as for example development issues. The principal institution of governance i. e. Parliament,
Executive and Judiciary needs to reform with a major program of good governance.

41

References:
Dr. Ataur Rahman, Challenge of governance in Bangladesh BIISS Journal vol. 14, No.
4, 1993
Rehman Sobhan, Crisis in Government,
Rehman Sobhan, Bangladesh: Problems of Government, The University Press Ltd.
Hasnat Abdul Hye, Government of south Asian Prospective, The University Press Ltd.
V. A. Pai Panandiker, Problems of Governance in South Asia
M. Aynul Islam, The political institution and governance in Bangladesh: Changes and
Continuty BIISS Journal vol. 26, No. 4, October, 2005
Moudud Ahmed, Problems of Governance
Mahfuzul H. Chawdhury, Thirty Years of Bangladesh Politics, The University Press
Ltd.
Kingsley De Silva, Problems of Governance (1993)

42