Politicization of Bureaucracy and Good Governance in Bangladesh

Abstract

The thesis titled “Politicization of Bureaucracy and Good Governance in Bangladesh” has been observed that the level of politicization of bureaucracy in Bangladesh and how it affects the good governance process of state apparatus. The main objective of this thesis is to understand the relationship between politician and bureaucrat and identify the mechanism of politicization of bureaucracy. Considering the aspects of Bangladesh, the study mainly emphasizing on two major issues. Firstly, the complex and heavily interlinked relationship between good governance and impartial bureaucracy. Secondly, without ensuring neutral and adept bureaucracy, the concept of accomplishing good governance policy will not be fruitful. The use of empirical data from in-depth interviews of academicians, researchers, politicians, journalists and the public responses to the semi-structured questionnaire survey and a variety of secondary materials represented a new approach to studying the politicization of bureaucracy and its impact on good governance. The study has been shown that in recent times politicization of bureaucracy is rising on high. It has also been observed that bureaucrats have to face political pressure during performing their roles. Politicization affect over selection, promotion and lucrative posting of bureaucrats and the supporters of the opposition are mostly being made OSD on partisan basis. Every government try to politicize bureaucracy for their own interest. Because of politicization, merit-based system will be hampered and there will be demoralization of skilled government officials and it also occurred institutional decay. Bureaucrats remain busy in lobbying with political party instead of trying to increase their competences since party loyalty and strength of lobbying are the only criteria for getting promotion. Thus, politicization of bureaucracy is impeding the quality of governance and the people of the country are suffering to meet their demands. This study will be benefitted for the government to provide some appropriate policy suggestions and decide how and which approaches they can manage bureaucrats for the betterment of the country.