Bangladesh’s 100th Position in the Democracy Index: An Insightful Analysis
The EIU’s Democracy Index reveals that Bangladesh ranks 100th out of 167 countries, marking a notable decline. Although it is positioned above Pakistan, it lags significantly behind India. The index showcases the complexities of democracies worldwide, highlighting Bangladesh’s low scores in government functioning and citizens’ freedoms, while indicating the importance of reforms ahead of upcoming elections.
The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) recently released its Democracy Index, revealing that Bangladesh ranks 100th among 167 states, marking a significant decline. This positioning places Bangladesh closer to the lower end of the spectrum when compared to other South Asian nations, lagging behind India at 41st yet ahead of Pakistan at 124th. Bangladesh shares its ranking with Benin, a nation struggling with poverty, indicating broader challenges faced by democracies worldwide.
In this year’s findings, Norway leads the Democracy Index, followed by New Zealand, while several nations, including South Korea and Pakistan, exhibit low rankings. Notably, Bangladesh has experienced a dramatic drop from 73rd in 2023 to 75th in 2024 and further down to 100th this year. This decline underscores the need for comparative analysis between the Democracy Index and the Human Development Index (HDI), highlighting that nations with high human development can still experience restrictions on citizens’ autonomy.
Although democracy is not flawless, it remains the most viable political system, fostering human rights, voice, and equity. It is essential to acknowledge the intrinsic value of democracy, irrespective of its economic implications. Historical evidence supports the notion that democratic societies are less prone to crises such as famines, highlighting the significance of governance in securing citizens’ well-being.
There are valid queries regarding the reliability of the Democracy Index. It is essential to treat its findings as indicators of democratic environments, inspiring nations towards healthier competition. However, due to its complexities and the nuances involved in defining democracy, the index may not wholly represent the realities it attempts to quantify.
The Democracy Index incorporates five dimensions: electoral process and pluralism, government functioning, political participation, political culture, and citizens’ freedom. The subjective and qualitative nature of these indicators can limit the index’s robustness, thereby necessitating cautious interpretation of its results. Bangladesh’s classification has oscillated from a “flawed democracy” in 2006 to a “hybrid regime” from 2008 onward, indicating systemic issues affecting electoral integrity and governance.
Analyzing the components of the current Democracy Index for Bangladesh reveals the country’s lowest scores in government functioning and citizens’ freedom, while it performs relatively well in electoral processes. These results raise concerns about the methodology employed by the index and highlight that improving governance and civic freedoms should be at the forefront of reform initiatives.
The current political landscape in Bangladesh indicates tension between the interim government’s urgency to expedite national elections and its commitment to institutional reforms. This dual focus could result in delays for the impending election, underscoring the intricate balance required in seeking both democratic restoration and electoral integrity.
Selim Jahan, a former director at the UNDP Human Development Report Office and the lead author of the Human Development Report, emphasizes the need for careful consideration of these dynamics in Bangladesh’s ongoing political developments.
The Democracy Index reflects Bangladesh’s significant decline in its democratic standing, now ranking 100th globally. While this ranking raises critical concerns regarding governance and citizens’ freedoms, it is imperative to approach the index with a nuanced understanding. As Bangladesh navigates the tensions between reform initiatives and electoral processes, addressing the fundamental issues highlighted by the index will be crucial for future democratic stability. The insights from these findings may serve as a catalyst for necessary reforms to enhance the governance landscape in Bangladesh.
Original Source: www.thedailystar.net
