Bangladesh’s Democracy Index ranking has plummeted to 100th out of 167 countries, illustrating challenges in governance and civil liberties. Notably, it ranks lower than India but higher than Pakistan. Other countries show varied performances, highlighting a global trend of democratic struggle. The report indicates a need for reform while emphasizing the significance of democracy in protecting human rights and providing citizen autonomy.
The Democracy Index from the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) recently ranked Bangladesh 100th out of 167 countries, marking a significant decline in its democratic standing. This positioning reflects Bangladesh’s struggles relative to regional neighbors, having dropped from 73rd in 2023 and 75th in 2024. It ranks below India (41st) but above Pakistan (124th), sharing its position with Benin, a poorer African nation. Collectively, global democracies are facing considerable challenges according to this year’s results.
Norway leads the Democracy Index, with nine of the top ten countries located in Europe; New Zealand is the sole exception at second place. Conversely, the report indicates underperformance by countries like Pakistan and South Korea. Although nations such as Qatar and Kuwait boast high Human Development Index (HDI) scores, they still rank poorly in democracy, underscoring restricted civil liberties. In contrast, the presence of democracy historically correlates with better human rights protections, indicating its intrinsic value despite arguments over its economic benefits.
The significance of the Democracy Index can be contentious. While it serves as a useful indicator of the democratic environment, it should be interpreted critically due to its complexity and limitations. The index propels competitive governmental accountability by ranking countries but may not accurately represent the democratic essence. Democracy encompasses subjective experiences that numbers cannot encapsulate; thus, the composite index’s effectiveness can be questionable, given its reliance on various difficult-to-measure factors, including electoral processes and citizen freedoms.
Bangladesh, categorized as a hybrid regime, has been devoid of full democratic classification and has faced challenges from government malfunctions and erosion of freedoms. It has seen the ruling parties suppress opposition, while civil society and judicial independence face significant constraints. Disaggregated data from this year show Bangladesh’s weaknesses in governance and citizens’ liberties.
The EIU report suggests a dual focus for Bangladesh’s interim government: expediting national elections while advancing reforms to restore democratic integrity. This intertwining of priorities highlights potential delays for the upcoming elections, as balancing immediate electoral processes with long-term democratic restoration is inherently challenging as the country moves forward.
Overall, the Democracy Index reveals a troubling landscape for Bangladesh, ranking it considerably low among global peers. While the report denotes some possible areas for improvement, it also underscores persistent governance issues. As Bangladesh approaches national elections, the country’s ability to balance reform efforts and electoral integrity will be critical for restoring its democratic foundations and advancing citizen freedoms.
Original Source: www.thedailystar.net
