Politics and Administration in South Asia : A Study of Politicization of Bureaucracy

Description

Bureaucracy is an integral part of modern democratic polity. The modern democratic states are built upon the bureaucratic structure that undergrid these states, although there is a vast difference in bureaucratic traditions and cultures in between developed and developing democratic and democratizing societies. As a developing region, South Asia has a longstanding tradition of bureaucratic organization. The traditional bureaucracies were “patrimonial” in nature, where loyalty was valued more than professionalism. However, the replacement of the concept of modern “rational-legal” bureaucracy in traditional societies like South Asia was initiated by the colonial master rulers or imperial powers following the conceptualization of modern bureaucracy by Max Weber. Their (colonial rulers) intention was to establish a “steel frame” of administration in South Asia so that their hegemony remains intact even after the breakdown of colonial hegemony. Studies of democratic politics in India,the military dominated authoritarian state of Pakistan and the newly democratic state of Bangladesh have addressed this heavily in the literature of politics and administration, but far less explained the process of governance, particularly explaining the politicization of the bureaucracy in South Asia. The role of bureaucracy in governance is not a new phenomenon in the discourse of politics and administration. Irrespective of the regions and the systems of government, professional mandarins or bureaucracies (rational-legal, neutral and merit-based) are exceedingly involved in the process of governance and development, and immensely contribute to the development by serving as advisers, inventors, and decision-makers along with the elected politicians as the agent of change. Thus, a study has been carried out on the politics-bureaucracy relationship and the role of bureaucracy in governance. Yet, academics are interested to understand the nature of the relationship between politics and bureaucracy, their transition, and their mutual interaction in politics from different perspectives and academic point of view with intellectual inquiry. This monograph is with the South Asian bureaucracy, focusing on the light of politicization. Contents List of Tables Preface List of Abbreviations Introduction 1.1. Locating the Puzzles 1.2. Politics and Partisan Administration: South Asian Paradox 1.3. Significance of this Book in the Literature of Knowledge 1.4. Data Source and Organization of the Book Politicization of Bureaucracy: The Theoretical and Conceptual Framework 2.1. Introduction 2.2. Politico-Bureaucratic Interactions: The Theoretical Framework 2.3. Politicization of Bureaucracy: Conceptual Framework 2.3.1. Why Politicization? Or the Causes of Politicization 2.3.2. The Process or Mechanisms of Politicization 2.3.3. The Consequences of Politicization Conclusion Politicization of Bureaucracy in Comparative Perspectives 3.1. Introduction 3.2. Politics and Bureaucracy in Ancient Societies 3.3. Politics and Bureaucracy in Modern Western Democracies 3.3.1. Politics and Bureaucracy in the United States of America 3.3.2. Politics and Bureaucracy in the United Kingdom 3.3.3. Politics and Bureaucracy in France 3.3.4. Politics and Bureaucracy in Germany 3.4. Politics and Bureaucracy in Developing World Perspective Conclusion Politics and Administration in South Asia: Evolution, Structure and Process of Interaction 4.1. Introduction 4.2. Politics and Administration in South Asia: Ancient and Medieval Periods 4.3. Politics and Administration in South Asia: Colonial Period Conclusion Politicization of Bureaucracy in Independent South Asia 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Politicization of Bureaucracy in India 5.3. Politicization of Bureaucracy in Pakistan 5.4. Politicization of Bureaucracy in Sri Lanka 5.5. Politicization of Bureaucracy in Nepal Conclusion Politicization of Bureaucracy in Bangladesh: Exploring the Variables 6.1. Introduction 6.2. The Structure and Constitutional Position of Bureaucracy in Bangladesh 6.2.1. Legal and Constitutional Framework of Bureaucracy 6.2.2. The Structure of the Bureaucracy 6.3. The Politicization of Bureaucracy in Bangladesh 6.3.1. Behavioral Process of Politicization 6.3.2. Institutional Process of Politicization 6.3.2.1. Recruitment and Selection Process 6.3.2.2. Performance Appraisal, Promotion and Posting 6.3.2.3. Distrust, Deprivation, Punishment and Dismissal 6.3.2.4. Bureaucratic Involvement in Political Decision Making Process 6.4. Image of the Civil Service: Popular Perceptions Conclusion Consequences of Politicization: Dismantled or Collapsed of the “Steel Frame”? 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Summarizing the Main Findings 7.3. The Consequences of Politicization 7.4. Dismantled or Collapse of the “Steel Frame”? References Newspapers About the Author Index Blank Page