Civil service and socio-economic progress in Bangladesh: a developmental state perspective

Purpose Bureaucracy has played a prominent role in steering accelerated growth in several East and Southeast Asian developmental states. This article explores the success factors that enabled the civil service to contribute to their economic development and identifies lessons for Bangladesh to help sustain its growth trajectory. Design/methodology/approach The article adopts a qualitative approach in its analysis and arguments. After the literature review, 50 senior civil servants in Bangladesh were interviewed, supplemented by group and individual consultations with 110 bureaucrats. Furthermore, a survey was conducted with 25 senior civil servants. Findings Bangladesh’s governance challenges demonstrate that a professional civil service is critical for sustaining the development process. The article argues that without establishing enabling conditions for the performance of the bureaucracy, Bangladesh’s development trajectory will be undermined by predatory forces, which impedes progress. Originality/value The experience of Bangladesh underscores the relevance of democratic developmental states, highlighting the importance of a professional bureaucracy. The article advocates for meritocracy and political insulation to create favorable conditions for eradicating the weaknesses that affect the performance of the bureaucracy in Bangladesh.