Anti-corruption in Bangladesh: towards feasible governance improvements
Supporting the diversification of the economy and inclusive growth requires a nuanced anti‐corruption approach
Abstarct
Anti-corruption efforts based on vertical enforcement and prosecution have not delivered results in Bangladesh and have sometimes been counterproductive. It is important to supplement these approaches by identifying opportunities for action at a sectoral level, where powerful players will want to behave in more productive and rule-following ways in their own interest. In this context, supporting the diversification of the economy and sustaining inclusive growth requires a more nuanced approach to anti‐corruption.
The Anti Corruption Evidence (ACE) approach looks for opportunities in specific sectors for feasible governance improvements, that can reduce corruption, without immediately taking on the most sensitive types of political corruption. Our political settlements analysis suggests that implementable anti‐corruption activities should have a low profile, and be based on an outcome‐ oriented and incremental set of policy proposals. The emphasis should not be on prosecution and punishment, but rather on finding policy combinations that create incentives for stakeholders in particular sectors or activities to behave in more productive ways. Research is unlikely to have any immediate impact on interventions in sensitive areas like political corruption: a more productive focus may be on achievable improvements in vital productive and service delivery sectors which are less controversial and are likely to be supported by powerful interests within these sectors and within government. Bangladesh, with its thriving enterprise economy and civil society, presents many opportunities at the sectoral level for ACE interventions.
This is an output from the ‘Anti Corruption Evidence (ACE)’ programme which is funded by the UK Department for International Development.
Citation
ACE research consortium. 2017. Anti-corruption in Bangladesh: towards feasible governance improvements. Briefing Paper 003.
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Anti-corruption in Bangladesh: towards feasible governance improvements