Surplus Politics, Democratic Deficit: Impediments to Democratic Rule in Bangladesh

In the aftermath of the reinstatement of democracy in Bangladesh in 1991, the process of democratic consolidation has been seriously impeded. People's expectation of living in a political environment that would create and sustain a democratic culture has been subdued aberrant behaviour on the part of the parties and politicians, still swayed by narrow partisan interests. The prospect of crystallising a governmental system upholding political tolerance and revering democratic values and the rule of the law has been all but lost. Locked in perpetual hostility, neither the ruling party nor the opposition have exhibited the will or the commitment to make the political institutions work, strengthen civil society and institutionalise development. Democratic consolidation has been restrained by the infraction of democratic norms, incapacitation of the parliament, corruption of the electoral process, departure from constitutional politics, dereliction of the role of law and immoderate politicisation of the governmental system. The two major parties have indulged in surplus politics, thereby creating a democratic deficit.