Yearning for democracy

Published: March 03, 2017 20:10:38 | Updated: October 18, 2017 10:59:24

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YEARNING for democracy by increasing number of countries during the last four decades has resulted in impressive progress in governance, rule of law and human rights. At the same time it is also true that in many cases these noble attempts are threatened by crime and corruption, weak public administration, terrorism and lack of accountability. It is against this backdrop that today's governments, politicians, development practitioners and international agencies are frequently using the term "good governance". At the same time, they also regard bad governance as a major hindrance to the path of democratic rule and social justice. Major donors and international development agencies are imposing good governance as a precondition for economic cooperation and other assistance. 
Recent empirical findings lend support to the common wisdom which asserts that there has been a steady erosion of public trust in politicians and political system. People felt that politicians had given democracy a bad name in Bangladesh. 
In contrast to the dour and forbidding manner of its Western counterparts, parliament of Bangladesh is seen as a lively reflection of the country's socially and culturally diverse polity. And yet, it must function with a minimum consensus or risk being reduced to irrelevance in public eye with the accompanying danger of popular disillusionment with the democratic process itself. Unfortunately, the rot may be already running too deep, with parliament lurching from successive unproductive sessions with key issues taking the backseat. 
The quality of politics and politicians has declined alarmingly. The manner in which politicians conduct themselves disrupt proceedings and force adjournments. It is time to take urgent measures to stem the rot. The treasury and the opposition benches must come to a minimum consensus to run parliament if not for improving their own public image, but at least for the sake of democracy.
Gopal Sengupta
Montreal, Canada
[email protected]

 

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