Bureaucratic Culture and the Social-Political Connection: The Bangladesh Example

Abstract

This article identifies some of the principal attributes of bureaucratic culture in Bangladesh from historical, social and political standpoints. The Bangladesh case is placed within a broad conceptual perspective that relates to the developing world situation. The peculiar traits of the Bangladesh bureaucracy epitomize a close connection with the political process, an inclination for self-preservation, domination of the policymaking structures, and a propensity to maintain clientelism in society. While working behind a façade of legal-rationalism, bureaucrats are not reluctant to indulge in unethical practices. Efforts at reform have been quashed or delayed, as the bureaucracy tends to retain its autonomous character. The peculiarities of the bureaucracy serve to deter change and development and pose a problem for democratic governance.

Keywords:

• bureaucracy
• Bangladesh
• bureaucratic culture
• public administration

Notes

¹This article is based on two spells of surveys of civil servants’ perceptions undertaken in Dhaka (Bangladesh). These surveys were based on structured questionnaires and respondents were randomly chosen from several ministries. See Zafarullah (1991, 2000). These were followed up with sporadic interviews with senior civil servants during yearly field trips to the country. In these unstructured interviews, interviewees were given leeway to give their personal views on several issues raised in this article and about future directions. Several civil servants in key positions and some retired ones were randomly interviewed.