The Democracy Index reports that Bangladesh has dropped to 100th place globally, indicating a decline in democratic health compared to India and Pakistan. While Norway ranks first, the index reveals global struggles for democracies, with Bangladesh’s specific weaknesses in government functioning and citizens’ freedoms. This situation underscores the need for significant reforms within the country’s political landscape to bolster democracy and enhance civil liberties.
The Democracy Index, compiled by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU), places Bangladesh at the 100th position out of 167 countries, marking a significant decline globally. This ranking positions Bangladesh below India, which is ranked 41st, but above Pakistan at 124th. Notably, Bangladesh shares this rank with Benin, a country with considerable economic challenges. The index reflects that democracies worldwide are facing substantial difficulties.
In the current Democracy Index, Norway leads the rankings, with Europe dominating the top 10, while New Zealand is the only exception at the second position. Conversely, countries like Pakistan and South Korea are among the lowest performers. After previously ranking 73rd and then 75th, Bangladesh has seen a drastic drop to the 100th position this year. A comparative analysis with the Human Development Index (HDI), which assesses physical well-being, reveals that high HDI countries like South Korea, Qatar, and Kuwait possess robust living standards yet consistently score low in the Democracy Index, indicating restricted civic freedom.
Although democracy is not a flawless political system, it remains the best form available, intrinsically valuable like human rights. Its benefits extend beyond economic growth, reinforcing autonomy and equity while safeguarding human rights. Historical evidence suggests that famines do not occur in democratic societies, emphasizing democracy’s vital role.
The relevance of the Democracy Index is often questioned. It should be regarded as a significant, though imperfect, measure of a society’s democratic standing, promoting healthy competition among nations. Nevertheless, its complexity requires a cautious approach, as it may not adequately represent democracy in its entirety. The index consists of five dimensional factors, and its predictive capability may be limited by the subjective nature of its indicators.
Countries are classified into four categories: full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, and authoritarian regimes. Bangladesh has historically not achieved the status of a full democracy. Currently classified as a hybrid regime since 2008, it exhibits characteristics such as government interference in elections and pressure on the judiciary and press, compounded by corruption and a weak civil society.
Disaggregated data from the Democracy Index for Bangladesh indicates its weakest performance in “government functioning” and “citizens’ freedom,” with an unexpected stronger score in “electoral process and pluralism.” This contradiction highlights flaws in the methodology of the index itself and underlines persistent issues in governance. The present reform processes in Bangladesh should focus on addressing governance and civil liberties to enhance democratic resilience.
The EIU report suggests that the interim government faces dual pressures of expediting national elections while also instituting significant reforms to restore democratic institutions. This tension potentially jeopardizes the timeline of Bangladeshi elections, which are highly anticipated by the populace.
The Democracy Index reveals significant challenges for Bangladesh, especially following its sharp decline to the 100th position, signaling a need for serious reform in governance and civil liberties. While the index serves as a useful reference for understanding democratic health, its methodologies raise questions regarding its accuracy. The current political climate necessitates urgent attention to the flaws highlighted in government functioning and citizens’ freedoms, as these are crucial for establishing a more robust democratic framework in the country.
Original Source: www.thedailystar.net
