Bureaucracy and Reform in Bangladesh: Contexts for New Constructs

Administrations run on the edifice of the bureaucracy. Four civil service values—pride, passion, pace and professionalism (powerful Ps)—should remain constant in all administrative ambiences. In Bangladesh however, they have been eclipsed by four civil service pathologies—patronage, pressure, politicisation and punishment (painful Ps). Reforms are necessary to keep the bureaucracy motivated and focussed. Six key indicators-cum-imperatives (Is)—intention and initiative on the part of the government, integrity and independence on the part of the bureaucracy and interest and influence on the part of the citizens—have universal applications and implications for measuring a country's preparedness for public sector reforms and ensuring their success.