
Committees are ubiquitous. They are found in all types of legislatures- large or small, old or new. Parliamentary committees are important because they can provide a number of values that are not easily available otherwise. However, although it is widely acknowledged that committees have greater resilience in Congressional and Continental systems than in Westminster-style democracies, there are not many studies that explore variations in committee influence and impact in the latter. This volume intends to fill this gap.
The book is based on the findings of a survey conducted in 1990 of four erstwhile upazilas in the districts of Patuakhali and Barguna in Bangladesh. The original study was commissioned by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) culminating in a research report. Although the decentralized system of local government in the form of upazila parishads no longer exists in the country, the contents of the book should be relevant to policy reforms for the local government.
Politicisation of civil service has been much discussed in the media. Little research as to its implications on economic, social and political order exists. The author’s analysis of this burning issue is truly revealing. Drawing on examples from the United Kingdom, the author acknowledges that civil servants have to act under political direction. However, politicisation of civil service in Bangladesh has been carried to absurd lengths. The point he makes is that this type Of politicisation is anathema to constitutional governance.
The study is a pioneering attempt on civil service management in Bangladesh. The study is a unique blend of practitioner's knowledge and academic insight of the operation of the administrative machinery of Bangladesh. As many as ten key aspects of management have been identified, analysed and evaluated in depth with suggested actions for the future. These areas are both conventional and new. The conventional areas include recruitment, training, pay, pension, promotion etc.
The challenge of establishing a functional democracy essential for national development has eluded many less developed countries. Bangladesh has been struggling to meet the challenge since its inception. Bangladesh in the Mirror compares the hopes of Bangladesh at independence in 1971 with the reality that exists today. While this book acknowledges the country's accomplishments, it also shows that the aspirations and potential of the Bangladeshi people have been thwarted by a fragile political and administrative system.