JBS Vol 03. Num 2. 2001 - TOWARDS INSTITUTION BUILDING IN BANGLADESH: TRENDS IN DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

To assess the construction of democracy and democratic institutions in any country is a challenging task, especially
when it is Bangladesh—a country identified on nearly all acceptable social and economic indicators as being at the
bottom of the community of nations. Although Bangladesh today is ridden with political strife and is faced with a
multitude of economic adversities, important developments are, nevertheless, taking place in the country that are
worthy of note. Two megatrends define democratic institution-building in Bangladesh: First, no government can
attain power or continue to be considered legitimate without the consent of the people. Second, the formation of
self-governing groups at all levels of society is facilitating the development of accountability and responsibility,
decision-making and participatory skills, and organizational and managerial skills. These two trends are forcing the
body politics to become more accountable and more responsive to the needs of the people of Bangladesh. This
paper offers some insights into the dynamics of Bangladesh democratic institution-building process and ideas of
how to further the process.