1

Report

on

Theory and practice of

good governance in Bangladesh

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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.

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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

country’s 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 socio-

economic 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.

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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

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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.

▪ Author’s personal judgment and opinion may affect the process of discussion and

recommendations.

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▪ 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.

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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.

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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

society’s 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.

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Figure I: Conventional Definition and Composition of state

Parliament Govt.

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.

A B

Parliament Govt.

C

Judiciary

Pvt. Sector

A B

C D

F E

Local Govt. Bodies

Civil

Society

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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

people’s 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 people’s 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 Co-

operation 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 state’s 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. People’s participation:

The principal of people’s 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.

People’s 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 people’s 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

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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:

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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.

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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.

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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;

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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 party’s

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. That’s 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.

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▪ 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 government’s

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

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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.

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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 state-

owned 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 women’s 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.

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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.

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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

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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%

Total: 50 1oo%

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%

Total: 50 100%

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

35

Opinion Frequency Percentage

Independent judicial system 24 48%

Impartiality in the recruitment of judges 09 18%

Effectiveness of law enforcement organization 17 34%

Total: 50 100%

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%

Total: 50 100%

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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%

Total: 50 100%

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:

37

Table- 7

Opinion Frequency Percentage

Failure in decision making 17 34%

Misuse of power 23 46%

Lack of democratic values 10 20%

Total: 50 100%

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%

Total: 50 100%

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

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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 5 10%

Others 12 24%

Total: 50 100%

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

39

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%

Total: 50 100%

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.

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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.

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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.

42

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)