This report, the third in an annual series produced by the Institute of Governance Studies (IGS) at BRAC University, examines the state of governance in Bangladesh as part of a long-term research program launched in 2006. It traces the country’s shift from a minimalist democracy, marked by contested elections and civilian control of institutions, toward an illiberal democracy characterized by the misuse of state power for partisan gain and the erosion of institutional independence. The analysis centres on the functioning, or dysfunction, of formal accountability mechanisms in the period before 1/11, and considers how such mechanisms might be strengthened to support functional democracy going forward. Drawing on institutional analysis, a nationwide quantitative perception survey, and qualitative research, the report investigates the informal norms shaping political parties, the bureaucracy, oversight bodies, Parliament, and the judiciary. Findings are presented across five thematic chapters covering political governance, oversight institutions, parliamentary accountability, judicial oversight, and public perceptions, with a concluding chapter synthesizing the results. Intended primarily for academics, researchers, and practitioners in governance and development, the report also serves as a resource for students and contributes to the Institute’s broader goal of building local research capacity among a new generation of Bangladeshi scholars.
Authors: Ahmed, Haydory Akbar; Akmeemana, Saku; Aziz, Syeda Salina; Chowdhury, Tamina M.; Hasan, Munyema; Haque, Mohammad Ashraful; Islam, Mohammad Sirajul; Jahan, Ferdous; Karim, Shahnaz; Rahman, Mohammad Atique; Harun-Or-Rashid, Md.; and Shahan, Asif Mohammad
Type: Report
Publisher: Institute of Governance Studies, BRAC University
Year: 2009
