How does culture affect Bangladesh’s governance?
Dr. Nasim Ahmed :
Culture plays a crucial role in shaping how societies operate, affecting governance, economic practices, political engagement, and administrative procedures. Hofstede (2011) in “Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind: Intercultural cooperation and its importance for survival” described cultural dimensions: power distance, individualism versus collectivism, masculinity versus femininity, uncertainty avoidance, long-term versus short-term orientation, and indulgence versus restraint, which provide an analytical framework for understanding cultural influences on Bangladesh’s public governance.
Bangladesh scores high on power distance, reflecting widespread acceptance of unequal power and hierarchical systems. In the administrative sector, this results in a bureaucratic culture where top officials make decisions with little input from lower-level staff.
ubordinates often hesitate to challenge authority, which hinders innovation and flexible decision-making. This vertical structure also causes delays in service delivery and policy implementation.
Politically, power is often concentrated among leading figures within political parties, which reinforces elitism and restricts democratic participation. In socio-economic settings, a high power distance promotes systemic inequality, where access to opportunities and services is frequently determined by social connections rather than merit.
Consequently, this dimension continues to uphold institutional inefficiencies and inequality across both public and private sectors.
Bangladesh is a collectivist society where loyalty to groups, especially family, community, and political networks, takes priority over individual independence.
This cultural trait fosters strong social bonds, as seen in the success of community-based microfinance initiatives, family-run businesses, and social safety nets.
Collectivism also reinforces informal support systems during crises, such as floods or economic shocks.
However, collectivism also encourages nepotism and favoritism in both administrative and political spheres. In public service hiring and promotions, personal connections often outweigh merit, which undermines the efficiency and integrity of institutions.
In politics, party loyalty is often prioritized over constitutional responsibilities, which undermines accountability and the effectiveness of institutional checks and balances. Economically, collectivist values discourage risk-taking and entrepreneurship, as individuals prioritize stability and conformity over innovation.
While collectivism fosters social solidarity, it also limits meritocracy, innovation, and effective governance.
Bangladesh ranks relatively low in masculinity, indicating a feminine cultural orientation that values caring, modesty, and well-being over competitiveness and assertiveness.
This trait is reflected in the country’s focus on social development, as demonstrated by its investments in maternal health, women’s education, and poverty reduction programs. The government’s commitment to welfare policies shows this cultural tendency toward empathy and consensus-building.
Politically, Bangladesh has had women in top leadership roles for decades. However, this has not resulted in widespread gender equality. Administratively, the focus on harmony and avoiding conflict often causes delays in reforms, as decision-makers avoid controversial issues. While femininity promotes social inclusion, it can also restrict assertive leadership and transformative change.
Bangladesh ranks high in uncertainty avoidance, reflecting a cultural preference for order, rules, and predictability. In administrative processes, this leads to procedural rigidity. Public officials tend to prioritize following rules over achieving results, which limits responsiveness and innovation. Resistance to change is common, especially regarding reforms like digital governance or decentralized planning.
In the economic sphere, uncertainty avoidance discourages entrepreneurship. Investors and entrepreneurs often hesitate to pursue new ventures because of fear of failure and a preference for stable, established industries. Educational and career choices also tend to be conservative, with families supporting traditional professions over creative or risky careers.
The country tends to emphasize short-term norms that prioritize immediate results, respect for tradition, and fulfilling current obligations over long-term planning. Politically, this cultural trait causes policy inconsistency. Successive governments often abandon or alter long-term development plans started by previous administrations, focusing on short-term, high-visibility projects to gain voter support. This behavior weakens strategic governance and diminishes the effectiveness of national development frameworks.
Socially, focusing on the short term promotes immediate gratification rather than waiting for rewards. This influences economic behaviors such as low savings and heavy reliance on remittances. In education, planning tends to be short-sighted, emphasizing job-related degrees over critical thinking or long-term skills. In administration, short-term thinking leads to reactive policies instead of structural reforms, weakening long-term government capacity.
Bangladesh scores low in indulgence, reflecting a culture that is reserved and emphasizes self-discipline, tradition, and social norms over open enjoyment and self-expression. This trait fosters social order and unity but also restricts personal freedom, innovation, and civic participation. In politics, restraint appears as public hesitation to challenge authority, which limits protests, activism, and democratic accountability.
Whistleblowing, transparency, and public innovation initiatives often encounter cultural resistance. In socio-economic contexts, restraint impacts conservative consumption habits, restricting growth in sectors like tourism, fashion, and digital media. Social taboos around gender identity, sexuality, or mental health further limit inclusive policymaking. Therefore, cultural restraint fosters discipline and cohesion but also constrains civic expression and progressive development.
(Dr. Nasim Ahmed holds a PhD in Public Policy from Ulster University in the UK and is currently working as Associate Professor at the Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management)