Understanding Governance and Public Policy in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a unitary state with “Westminster model” of governance, but the reality for governance is complex with a plethora of actors both at the national and international levels. The state of Bangladesh has yet not been characterized by features of good governance and democratic policy making regime. Rather favoritism, patron-clientelism and lobbying (Popularly called Tadbir) are very much parts and parcel of the governance and policy making process. This book is a collection of essays on governance, public policy, public management reforms, policy implementation, and local governance in the era of Multilevel Governance. Offering a range of perspectives from administration and organization studies, the book emphasizes both theoretical and analytical discussions and explanations of issues, challenges and dilemmas of governance and policy implementation and policy experiences in Bangladesh. Thematically, the book can be divided in three broader parts. The first part is about governance theories which includes chapter 1, 2 & 3. The second part of the book, chapter 4, 5, 6 & 7, is on contemporary governance issues. The third part is mostly relevant to local governance reflected in chapter 8, 9 & 10. The book will help in better understanding of factors that affect these issues and highlight how public administration is managed and run in the country, the nature of politics, how political leaders act, how they are perceived by citizens, and how public policies are adopted, implemented, and what the outcomes are.