Corruption in Bangladesh: Background Causes and Current Scenario

Abstract

While Bangladesh is characterized by impressive rates of economic growth and significant improvement in several development indicators, it is also marked by high levels of corruption. This study engages with bribery to show that it has become a norm in transactions, which has made it a systemic part of the Bangladeshi economy. It argues that the state-sanctioned involvement of untrained individuals such as ruling party members and freedom fighters in running the state machinery is a significant factor for the genesis and consolidation of corruption in Bangladesh from 1972 to 2013. The introduction of such candidates into the civil service, public sector enterprises has led to the expropriation by a few leading to the development of crony capitalism in the country. Furthermore, it posits Bangladesh as a key site for the illustration of speed money theory.