Meritocracy – the idea of rewarding people based on their skills, abilities, and achievements rather than their social background or connections – is a vital framework for growth for a country like Bangladesh, one of the least developed nations (LDCs). In this context, “rewarding” specifically refers to providing job opportunities to deserving candidates.
Promoting meritocracy in different sectors (private and public) will significantly improve the institutional integrity of people, which will drive social equity, economic development, and innovation. With a population of more than 170 million, Bangladesh confronts major economic developmental problems that could be solved if the country would provide opportunity to the deserving people based on their talent, qualification, and skills. Just two decades ago, China was one of the poorest countries; however, they have achieved remarkable economic and infrastructural improvements by providing equal opportunities to their meritorious people. Currently, Bangladesh experiences high rates of poverty, unemployment, and social inequality, primarily due to the lack of equal opportunities for its talented individuals. Furthermore, the country deals with corruption, poor infrastructure, and limited access to high-quality education and healthcare. In these circumstances, encouraging a meritocratic system is not only urgent but also practical for overcoming obstacles and creating a sustainable future.
Prioritising meritocracy would accelerate the process of creating an equal society for all citizens. People in Bangladeshi society primarily judge others based on their social hierarchies rather than their talent and qualifications, posing a significant challenge to fostering a society that allows talented individuals to utilise their knowledge and skills. A society that provides opportunities to all individuals, irrespective of their socioeconomic status, is both sustainable and progressive. To create such a society is crucial, and it is high time to create an environment where meritocracy will be respected.
However, a meritocratic system starts with an excellent educational foundation. People criticise Bangladesh’s educational system for its unfairness and inadequacy. By providing merit-based admissions, scholarships, and other benefits such as seat allocation in university halls, the government can ensure that talented students from underprivileged backgrounds have access to top-notch education. This would streamline the process for potential students to begin their education with high integrity, achieve greater success, and develop a mindset to better serve the country.
Moreover, meritocracy can positively enhance economic progress, which is essential for a nation like Bangladesh to be a developed country in the near future. This would also accelerate the development of more competent management and operations in merit-based companies, whether public or private. Industries based on technology, textiles, and agriculture are absolutely vital for Bangladesh’s economic development; however, most of these industries rely heavily on foreign experts due to a shortage of our own experts, often ignored and discriminated against, particularly during the
last government era. In this regard, developing merit-based hiring and promotions helps companies to attract our own qualified people to join positions and keep the money in our country. This would also enhance self-sufficiency and operational competence in the workforce, as well as stimulate creativity. For instance, in the textile industry, which is critical to Bangladesh’s economy, having skilled managers who understand global market trends can lead to better production practices and more competitive pricing, ultimately benefiting the economy.
Moreover, if foreign investors saw Bangladesh’s abundance of talented human resources, they would increase the country’s flow of foreign direct investment (FDI). At present, our country struggles to retain the talented people who leave due to the high inequality. A merit-based structure, which the current government should prioritise, could reduce this brain drain surge. Such a system would ensure an influx of foreign direct investment that can provide much-needed capital for economic development, infrastructure projects, and job creation.
Additionally, innovation is the lifeblood of any economy, particularly in an era characterised by rapid technological change, i.e., artificial intelligence (AI) and generative artificial intelligence (GAI). When someone knows that their efforts will be appreciated and rewarded, he or she is motivated to be innovative, which is important to keep pace with the dynamic changes in the world.
The inefficiency and corruption of previous governments have contributed to Bangladesh’s economic vulnerability. However, adopting meritocratic ideas can serve to strengthen public institutions and enhance governance. Meritocracy guarantees the selection of individuals in public positions based on their skills, qualifications, and performance. This leads to a more competent workforce capable of making informed decisions and implementing effective policies. Hiring based on merit can significantly improve service delivery in a country like Bangladesh, where public services often face criticism for their inefficiency. The appointment of public officials based on their abilities enhances citizens’ trust in government institutions. This trust is vital for effective governance, as it encourages public participation in democratic processes and compliance with laws. A merit-based system can help restore faith in institutions, making citizens more likely to support government initiatives.
Moreover, by implementing merit-based hiring practices within public service, the government can reduce nepotism, which was a common issue in the previous government administration. Appointing civil servants based on their skills and qualifications cultivates a culture of accountability. Public servants can perform their duties effectively through transparent recruitment processes and performance evaluations. This increased trust can lead to a greater civic engagement and participation in democratic processes, further strengthening the nation’s governance.
We already know that corruption is a significant barrier to development in Bangladesh. It stifles economic growth, exacerbates inequality, and erodes public trust. However, by prioritising meritocracy, the government can create systems that reduce corrupt practices.
A meritocratic system can also contribute to social cohesion in a diverse society like Bangladesh. Recognition and reward for individuals’ efforts foster a sense of belonging and unity. In Bangladesh, social divisions based on class, ethnicity, and gender can lead to tensions and conflicts. In this regard, a meritocratic approach can help bridge these divides by promoting inclusivity. Moreover, prioritizing the meritocracy will also enhance collaboration among people in private and public companies and social institutions. When individuals from diverse backgrounds work together toward common goals, it enhances organisational and social cohesion. Furthermore, a meritocratic environment fosters collaboration and teamwork by motivating individuals to contribute based on their skills, not their social or familial backgrounds. This collaborative spirit can lead to innovative solutions to the country’s pressing challenges.
However, over the past 16 years, the country has ignored meritocracy, denying many qualified candidates the chance to join their jobs even after passing the exam and viva. The last government’s poor management of government institutions reflects the damage this type of ignorance has done to the country’s overall internal administration strength. Therefore, the current government must enact laws or ordinances to safeguard meritocracy in Bangladesh.
Although there are many benefits of meritocracy, implementing such a system in our country is a difficult and challenging job. Therefore, the current government should consider several factors. Firstly, the strongly ingrained cultural attitude in Bangladesh, which often prioritises relationships and family ties over personal capacity, hinders the implementation of meritocracy. Many times, hiring and promotion decisions heavily rely on personal relationships – known as “connections” or “paternalism. This cultural propensity leads to opposition to meritocratic policies, as people may prioritize loyalty and family ties over credentials. Changing these long-standing conventions call for public awareness campaigns stressing the value of talents and a major cultural change. Therefore, we must permanently dismantle this culture. We should proceed immediately, disregarding all bureaucratic complexities.
Moreover, political patronage is a common practice in Bangladesh, particularly due to our reputation for overlooking individuals who merit recognition. For example, many appointments in public institutions are motivated by party allegiance rather than ability. Politicians often select their loyalists for important roles, thereby perpetuating a cycle of corruption and ineffectiveness. In this regard, the use of merit-based systems could potentially jeopardize the interests of individuals belonging to the elite group, necessitating the creation of a merit-based administration system. Fair and efficient educational infrastructure could ensure its implementation.
Moreover, current established interest groups within public organisations may oppose meritocratic changes, fearing a loss of authority or prestige. Those who have ascended non-meritocratic paths may object to changes that could jeopardise their status. This opposition may manifest as bureaucratic lethargy, resistance to improvements, or even attempts to sabotage merit-based programmes. Therefore, the current government should strongly address this issue by leveraging the youth power that overthrew the previous government and paving the way for a more equitable and sustainable society. In this regard, we can apply technologies like artificial intelligence to ensure transparency in every recruitment process and provide opportunities for meritocratic individuals.