Bangladesh currently holds a precarious yet slightly better position than Afghanistan in various global rankings. While labeled ‘partly free,’ Bangladesh grapples with issues of corruption and press freedom, ranking poorly among South Asian nations. Afghanistan’s dire circumstances offer Bangladesh a temporary reprieve from the lowest rankings, prompting a need for genuine improvement rather than complacency. The future requires Bangladesh to aspire towards better governance and societal standards.
Bangladesh finds itself in a precarious situation with its global rankings, propelled by the unfortunate standing of its neighbor, Afghanistan. Despite various challenges, such as corruption, press freedom issues, and failure in upholding the rule of law, Bangladesh manages to avoid occupying the lowest position in several international indices, thanks in large part to Afghanistan’s even graver circumstances.
In the Freedom in the World 2024 ranking, Bangladesh holds the sixth position among South Asian nations, receiving a troubling score of 40 out of 100, categorizing it as ‘partly free’. Afghanistan, in stark contrast, languishes in last place with an abysmal score of 6, classified as ‘not free’. This scenario is mirrored in the Rule of Law Index 2024, with Bangladesh at 127th out of 142 countries, while Afghanistan sits at the 140th spot, reinforcing Bangladesh’s relative position.
The Press Freedom Index 2024 tells a disheartening narrative as Bangladesh ranks 165th among 180 countries. However, Afghanistan, at 178th, inadvertently makes Bangladesh appear marginally better off. Additionally, the Trace Bribery Risk Matrix 2024 records Bangladesh at 147th out of 194, with Afghanistan trailing at 186. In the 2024 Corruption Perception Index, Bangladesh slips to 151st, yet Afghanistan’s score of 17 ensures Bangladesh retains its position, albeit precariously.
Bangladesh’s recent CPI score of 23 is the lowest it has recorded in thirteen years, a concerning development. While Afghanistan’s score has also declined significantly, preventing Bangladesh from being labeled the most corrupt in South Asia just yet, the underlying issues remain alarming. The discourse surrounding Afghanistan is polarized, with some expressing fears of Bangladesh mirroring its neighbor’s trajectory towards authoritarianism, while others express aspirations for similar governance.
This compromise in narratives is reflective of a society caught in a cycle of decline, watching its standings worsen consecutively. If Bangladesh were likened to a student, it would be the one that avoids failure only due to another’s misfortune. As Bangladesh celebrates its temporary reprieve from the bottom, it is essential to question how sustainable this relative success is.
In conclusion, achieving improvement should be the goal, rather than relying on the missteps of others. Moving beyond this cycle of mediocrity is essential for establishing a more prosperous future for Bangladesh.
In summary, Bangladesh is currently avoiding the lowest rankings on various global indices, largely due to the unfortunate circumstances of Afghanistan. While this may seem like a temporary consolation, it raises concerns about the sustainability of Bangladesh’s standing. Continuous reliance on the failures of others rather than striving for genuine improvement is a precarious situation. The future calls for a collective ambition to elevate the country’s performance and governance standards.
Original Source: www.tbsnews.net
