Post-independence Bangladesh embarked on its journey with the dream of establishing a democratic system. The Constitution of Bangladesh declares that the country shall be a democratic, humane, and egalitarian state where every citizen enjoys freedom of expression, participation in elections, and a government held accountable for its actions. However, in reality, this promise of democracy has been marred by crises and constraints.
One of the gravest challenges facing democracy in Bangladesh is the erosion of political values and ethics. Democracy is not sustained merely by elections, parliaments, or constitutional frameworks—it thrives through the conduct of political leadership, tolerance toward dissent, and prioritization of public interest. Regrettably, our political culture has evolved into one where the sole objective is gaining and preserving power. As a result, the core foundations of democracy—electoral transparency, freedom of speech, administrative neutrality, and judicial independence—are steadily deteriorating.
A lack of political decency has become the norm in our public life. The use of vulgar language against opponents in political speeches, shouting and unruly behavior in parliament instead of respectful debate, and online trolling and hate speech are manifestations of this crisis. Harassment of opposition members before elections, humiliation of rivals at public gatherings, and the absence of unity even on national days all illustrate how far political civility has declined.
Similarly, integrity—or the practice of ethics and honesty—is glaringly absent in both politics and administration. Corruption, nepotism, and impunity thrive under political patronage, severely undermining public trust in state institutions. Yet, these very institutions are the backbone of any democracy. When they turn into instruments of political control, democracy becomes a façade.
Political decency refers to the code of conduct that upholds courtesy, tolerance, mutual respect, and basic civility among leaders, parties, and political workers, especially in times of disagreement and rivalry. Democracy inevitably involves competition, differences of opinion, and debate. But amid all this, maintaining decency is part of responsible political conduct. It does not mean suppressing opposing views—it means respecting them and seeking constructive solutions.
The key components of political decency include: respect for differing opinions; tolerance toward political rivals; decency in public speeches; unified presence in national events; placing national interest above party interest; and practicing accountability to the people. In strong democracies such as Canada, Sweden, Germany, and New Zealand, these elements are integral to political practice. There, governments and opposition parties fight based on principles and logic—not personal insults or betrayal of national interests.
In Bangladesh, however, the concept of political decency is almost extinct. Government repression often follows opposition rallies, while the opposition routinely boycotts government development initiatives. Parliament has largely turned into a platform for partisan rhetoric rather than constructive debate. Even offering congratulations or expressing condolences is restricted by party lines. One party may boycott national celebrations simply because the other is in power, and even the initiatives of the Prime Minister or President are viewed solely through a partisan lens. This absence of basic political courtesy has begun to raise questions about our collective civility.
Young people, in particular, are becoming disillusioned by this toxic political environment. Many now view politics as synonymous with hostility and aggression, leading to a decline in thoughtful civic participation. This growing apathy poses a serious threat to the future of democracy.
Moreover, political indecency breeds social division. The language used by political leaders, online trolling, and offensive comments on talk shows serve to polarize citizens into rigid partisan camps. Democracy cannot survive in such a fragmented society.
Integrity is rooted in morality, transparency, accountability, and responsibility. In a democratic system, it is not a personal trait but a political and institutional practice that must be reflected at every level of governance. Ethical leadership, administrative transparency, and a corruption-free system are essential for integrity.
In the context of Bangladesh, the lack of integrity is visible at every level of governance. When political leaders prioritize personal gain, nepotism, and corruption over public service, the crisis transcends moral failure and threatens the very survival of democracy. As a result, public trust in the government erodes, creating space for disillusionment, superstition, and violence.
Questions surround politicians’ tax filings, asset declarations, and campaign promises. Pledges made before elections are often forgotten once in power. Corruption and abuse of authority are common in education, health, law enforcement, and local governance. In this system, party loyalty becomes the sole criterion for opportunity, marginalizing capable and ethical individuals. Those who thrive are often politically protected sycophants, not those with merit.
Yet, there are some encouraging examples of integrity in Bangladesh: the Right to Information Act, improvements in transparency through digital services, and analytics-based budget monitoring. However, these efforts remain limited to the administrative level. What is required is personal leadership—Prime Ministers, ministers, and parliamentarians must embody integrity in their lives and actions. Policy papers and speeches alone cannot cultivate integrity in society.
Accountability is a cornerstone of integrity. In a democracy, leaders must be transparent about their decisions, failures, and plans. Unfortunately, Bangladesh lacks a culture of accountability. The opposition is weak in parliament, the media is tightly controlled, and public grievance mechanisms are mostly symbolic. This has created a dangerous “culture of impunity,” which poses a direct threat to democratic governance.
This impunity legitimizes administrative corruption, police brutality, and electoral fraud. As a result, democracy wears a mask—behind which lies authoritarianism, one-party rule, and capitalist exploitation.
Still, there is a way forward. First, parties must practice integrity internally by nominating candidates with clean reputations instead of incompetent loyalists. Second, parliamentary debates on budgets and public projects must be strengthened. Third, civil society, media, and academic institutions must promote ethics-based political education. Fourth, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the judiciary must be made independent and free from political influence. Fifth and finally, the core of political decision-making must be centered on people’s rights and welfare.
To build a sustainable democracy, both political decency and integrity must be practiced together. Procedural elections or partisan competition alone cannot fulfill the true spirit of democracy. Political courtesy, tolerance, and ethical integrity must be given equal importance. Here, global examples offer useful guidance.
In Singapore, although political decency under Lee Kuan Yew was limited, his commitment to integrity was uncompromising. By fighting corruption and building an efficient administration, he established a “disciplined democracy.” Politicians’ assets were made public, and although ministers were paid high salaries, strict accountability was enforced. Public services operated almost free of corruption, and leaders behaved like bureaucrats, resolving differences within the parliamentary framework.
After suffering under General Pinochet’s brutal dictatorship in 1973, Chile gradually transitioned back to democracy starting in 1990. This transformation was supported by mutual respect and ethical responsibility among political leaders. Chilean parties agreed to a “National Agreement” that emphasized reconciliation over revenge. Despite ideological differences, ruling and opposition parties worked together on core issues like education policy, human rights, and anti-corruption.
South Korea presents another strong example, where public demand for integrity forces politicians to uphold ethical standards. Several presidents have resigned or been jailed for corruption. The message is clear: moral failure is unacceptable to the people. In South Korea, opposition parties are respected, civil society is vibrant, and the media is actively engaged. Political debates are grounded in data and analysis—not in personal insults.
The lack of political decency and integrity is one of the greatest obstacles to restoring democracy in Bangladesh. Over the past decades, political revenge, mistrust, corruption, and disconnect from the people have weakened democratic institutions. The time has come for comprehensive reform in our political culture. The following are practical recommendations for addressing this crisis:
First, political decency must be restored among leaders. Each party should develop a code of ethical conduct outlining standards for speech, behavior, and parliamentary actions. Violations must trigger internal disciplinary measures. Parliamentary decorum must also be reinstated, with debates steered toward evidence-based discussions rather than threats and personal attacks. The Speaker and parliamentary secretariat must play a neutral and effective role.
Second, institutional integrity and political accountability must be ensured. Political financing must be transparent—parties must publicly disclose sources and expenditures. Candidates’ qualifications, wealth, and criminal records must be verified and made accessible to voters by the Election Commission.
Third, ethical politics must be promoted through education and civil society. Curricula on moral leadership, democracy, and civic responsibility should be introduced at schools and colleges. Civil society and media must organize public hearings, civic dialogues, and accountability forums, thereby connecting citizens directly to political leaders.
Fourth, technology and media should be harnessed to improve political culture. A neutral civic platform can be established to record and evaluate politicians’ promises, speeches, and performance. Citizens can contribute feedback and ratings. The media must move away from sensationalism and toward logic-based political discourse, encouraging leaders to value reason and decency over theatrics.
Lastly, internal party reforms are essential to infuse leadership with integrity. Dynastic politics and money-based leadership must be replaced with democratic internal elections and merit-based competition. Leadership should be based on competence, values, and public engagement. Youth who are socially aware and ethically grounded must be brought into leadership roles to build a sustainable political culture.
The practice of political decency and integrity is a long but necessary journey. Ignoring these principles will render any attempt to revive democracy futile. Bangladesh’s political parties must undergo self-reflection, rebuild their relationship with the people, and leave a legacy of principled, responsible, and ethical politics for future generations. Democracy is the collective reflection of people’s morality, behavior, and values. Therefore, if we truly want to save democracy in Bangladesh, political decency and integrity must be upheld—there is simply no alternative.
