Suchergebnisse

Rapid increase of size and demands of the urban population are causing manifold challenges for urban local governance in Bangladesh whereas Japan has successfully tackled similar challenges during last half century by adopting various policy measures at considerable cost. Among those, Bangladesh might easily consider several for her urban governance and development. This paper attempted to find out some policy options that Bangladesh could adopt from Japanese practices and experiences. Accordingly, an explanatory-descriptive design has been employed for content analysis in order to draw logical arguments regarding local autonomy, city governance, local assembly, financial autonomy, environmental and disaster management. Finally, the study concludes that lesson learning is essential but is neither sufficient nor indicative of an exact path to follow.

Rapid increase of size and demands of the urban population are causing manifold challenges for urban local governance in Bangladesh whereas, Japan has successfully tackled similar challenges during last half century by adopting various policy measures at considerable cost. Among those, Bangladesh might easily consider several for her urban governance and development. This article attempted to find out some policy options that Bangladesh could adopt from Japanese practices and experiences. Accordingly, an explanatory-descriptive design has been employed for content analysis, in order to draw logical arguments regarding local autonomy, city governance, local assembly, financial autonomy, environmental and disaster management. Finally, the study concludes that, lesson learning is essential but is neither sufficient nor indicative of an exact path to follow. Adapted from the source document.

Over the last few decades, governance systems across the world have prioritised citizen participation. Direct participation of the citizenry facilitates social accountability, which contributes to the advancement of good governance. In Bangladesh, following the success of donor-funded pathfinder projects, various social accountability mechanisms were legally mandated at the local level. This study examines the prescribed functioning of these mechanisms and compares this to actual practice. The study followed an explanatory, descriptive method for content analysis by reviewing relevant secondary literature. Key findings were: no practical guidelines exist in Bangladesh for managing social accountability mechanisms; citizens have limited access to information; local functionaries have insufficient understanding of their role; and social accountability has not been institutionalised. To ensure successful social accountability, it will be necessary to provide adequate guidelines, take financial and management factors into account, and make people aware of their rights. Government and NGO intervention on the demand side (local people) will be required to make this happen.

Better segments of mass people in developing countries are still unable to elect their representatives due to deficient political commitment of leaders and political unawareness. The present study aspires to explore political dynamics influencing leadership choice, and political instruments in influencing electorates in relation to activities of local political elites. National commitment to provide minimum democratic rights to secure their mandate has not yet been reflected in successive government's activities during election period. One decisive determinant of local election is the accessibility of choosing prospective leaders and barriers to manipulation of mandate that may develop because of location, monetary necessities, bureaucratic practices, use of various modes and technologies to attract voters, socio-economic distances between people & political parties and the gender biasness. The article argues that to enhance accessibility in selecting local statesmanship, fundamental changes are required not only in people's consciousness but also in the structure of election procedure.