According to the Democracy Matrix, Bangladesh ranks 149th among the 176 other listed countries. This is just one of the indexes where Bangladesh, as a country, performs poorly. But Bangladesh is doing comparatively better as far as the number related to GDP and per capita income is concerned.
The question remains, why are there two differently coexisting pictures of Bangladesh? On the one hand, Bangladesh is all about its socio-economic development. On the flip side, Bangladesh is nothing but a country of pollution, maladministration, lawlessness, and inequality.
The Bangladeshi government, timelessly, talks of socio-political growth, awards, economic solidity, self-reliance, and nuclear-powered energy. But, compared to the standard of living for people, infrastructural development seems to be nothing but a joke.
Environmental Performances Index
The current rank of Bangladesh, in the Environmental Performances Index (EPI), is 179 among the 180 listed countries. The number suggests that things that are being encouraged, in the name of development, are contributing to the negative growth of Bangladesh as far as the standard of living is concerned.
Bangladesh ranks last (178) in the environmental health category, and the condition does not improve when serious subjects like air quality, and water and sanitation are discussed in relation to their negative impacts on human beings.
The government does not seem concerned with all these negative rankings. Otherwise, they would have been working on developing more sustainable and environment-friendly projects. When the developed world is trying to develop systems around renewable energy, Bangladesh goes for nuclear-powered energy.
According to the same report (EPI), Bangladesh’s GDP is USD 540.89 Billion, and DGP per capita is USD 3319.35. There is no doubt that Bangladesh is showing positive economic growth. The problem is that the existing government keeps denying the negative consequences of the existing developmental model.
While talking about development, the government should acknowledge the vulnerability as well. They should have plans to provide a safer and sounder environment for its people so that the quality of life grows gradually too.
Let’s get back to the point, where it all started, the Democracy Matrix. Why did I start the writing with the issue of democracy? It is because when there is a democracy, there would be transparency and accountability. And if there is transparency and accountability, nobody would be able to do things that are against the greater interest of people.
