PUBLIC policy and governance stand as the twin pillars of a modern state鈥檚 development journey. In developing countries, the effectiveness of policy formulation and the quality of governance determine not only how efficiently resources are allocated but also how well the needs of citizens are met. Bangladesh, once derided as a 鈥榖asket case鈥� at independence in 1971, has transformed into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, earning recognition for its achievements in poverty reduction, healthcare, education and digital innovation. These successes have been driven by a complex interplay between policy choices and governance structures. Yet, despite this impressive progress, serious governance challenges persist. Corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency, weak rule of law and entrenched political partisanship continue to undermine effective policy implementation. Numerous reforms and policy innovations have been undertaken, but institutionalising good governance remains an ongoing struggle.
Understanding Bangladesh鈥檚 governance landscape requires reflection on how historical and institutional legacies have shaped its policy framework, an assessment of contemporary challenges and successes and an examination of the reforms needed to strengthen governance in pursuit of long-term development goals.
Public policy, in essence, refers to a set of decisions, plans and actions undertaken by government institutions to achieve specific social, economic, or political objectives. In Bangladesh, these are influenced both by domestic priorities such as poverty reduction, industrialisation and climate resilience; and by external development partners. Several theoretical perspectives help explain how these policies evolve. The theory of incrementalism, for instance, suggests that policy change occurs through gradual adjustments rather than sweeping reforms, a pattern evident in Bangladesh鈥檚 agricultural transformation since the green revolution. Rational Choice Theory posits that policymakers act on cost鈥揵enefit considerations, though in practice political and bureaucratic interests often distort such rationality. Institutionalism, meanwhile, highlights the deep influence of inherited administrative structures, particularly the colonial-era bureaucratic culture that continues to shape policymaking today.
Governance, broadly defined as the process of decision-making and the implementation, or non-implementation, of decisions, has evolved through several models. The Good Governance model stresses accountability, transparency, participation and adherence to the rule of law. The New Public Management approach advocates efficiency, privatisation and market-oriented reforms; elements partially adopted in Bangladesh during the 1990s. Participatory governance, on the other hand, emphasises citizen and civil society engagement, exemplified by NGOs such as BRAC and Grameen Bank, which pioneered participatory development initiatives. Bangladesh鈥檚 governance experience can thus be best understood as a hybrid model, an amalgam of bureaucratic structures, political contestation and donor-driven reforms.
Bangladesh鈥檚 policy landscape is also deeply influenced by its historical and institutional context. The country鈥檚 governance system retains the imprint of its colonial past, when administrative structures were designed primarily for revenue collection and control rather than citizen welfare. Following independence, Bangladesh initially embraced socialist-inspired policies emphasising state control and redistribution. However, inefficiency, corruption, and political instability impeded these efforts. The subsequent military regimes of the 1970s and 1980s ushered in liberalisation, structural adjustment and closer engagement with international financial institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Since the 1990s, democratic governments have pursued market-oriented policies, prioritising export-led growth, especially through the garments sector and poverty reduction strategies. Policy frameworks such as the Five-Year Plans, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and the Sustainable Development Growth aligned Vision 2031 reflect this evolution.
Despite constitutional provisions for local government, Bangladesh鈥檚 governance remains highly centralised. Real power is concentrated in Dhaka, leaving local bodies such as union parishads, upazila parishads and city corporations struggling with limited resources, political interference and weak autonomy. While bureaucrats have often provided stability during political upheavals, the administrative system retains colonial-era features of hierarchy, red tape and elitism. Corruption, inefficiency, and inadequate citizen orientation remain common criticisms, and bureaucratic rigidity continues to constrain effective service delivery.
Political partisanship adds another layer of complexity. Governance in Bangladesh has long been shaped by intense rivalry between the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. This polarisation has led to policy discontinuity, politicisation of institutions and the use of state resources for partisan purposes. The confrontational nature of national politics has frequently hindered meaningful reform.
Corruption remains a pervasive obstacle to good governance. Bangladesh consistently ranks poorly in global corruption indices, with malpractice affecting everything from procurement and licensing to law enforcement and the judiciary. Institutions designed to ensure accountability, such as the Anti-Corruption Commission, often lack independence and public confidence. Similarly, the rule of law remains fragile, with judicial backlogs, resource shortages and allegations of political influence undermining trust. Human rights groups have also raised concerns over media restrictions, suppression of dissent and the misuse of security laws.
Yet amid these challenges, progress is evident. The Digital Bangladesh initiative has revolutionised governance through technology, introducing online service delivery, e-procurement and mobile financial services. Programmes such as Union Digital Centres and platforms like bKash have expanded access and reduced corruption opportunities. Likewise, social safety net programmes, including the Vulnerable Group Development and Vulnerable Group Feeding schemes and old-age allowances have contributed to poverty alleviation, though issues of weak targeting and political interference persist.
Bangladesh鈥檚 response to climate change has also been noteworthy. Policies such as the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and the Cyclone Preparedness Programme have enhanced disaster resilience, though coordination failures and donor dependency remain challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic further tested governance capacity. While the government successfully utilised digital platforms for cash transfers, telemedicine and remote education, the crisis also exposed weaknesses in procurement, transparency and equitable relief distribution.
The overarching challenges in public policy and governance are therefore multi-dimensional, ranging from political instability and institutional fragility to bureaucratic inefficiency, corruption, policy incoherence, and an urban鈥搑ural governance divide. Weak rule of law and human rights concerns continue to hinder democratic consolidation and development progress.
To move forward, Bangladesh must focus on comprehensive reforms that strengthen its institutional foundations. This includes enhancing the independence of the judiciary and oversight commissions, improving transparency through mechanisms such as the Right to Information Act, audits, e-procurement and emerging technologies like blockchain. Deepening decentralisation by empowering local governments and reforming the bureaucracy through merit-based promotion, performance evaluation and training are essential. Equally important are citizen participation and social accountability mechanisms, alongside the continued expansion of digital governance. Aligning these governance reforms with the country鈥檚 Perspective Plan and Sustainable Development Goals will ensure policy coherence and measurable progress.
Bangladesh鈥檚 development journey is an inspiring one, but sustaining its momentum will depend on whether governance evolves from a system of control to one of service, from centralisation to empowerment and from policy promises to tangible public outcomes.
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Dr Md Moniruzzaman is a professor at the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management and a former additional secretary.