Bureaucratic Shadows: Administrative Capture and Democratic Backsliding in Bangladesh

This chapter examines the systematic erosion of democratic institutions in Bangladesh through bureaucratic capture and administrative authoritarianism. Following independence in 1971, Bangladesh’s democratic aspirations were gradually undermined as an inexperienced political leadership became increasingly dependent on a seasoned bureaucracy that possessed institutional memory and technical expertise. It explores how bureaucratic institutions transformed from neutral implementers of policy into powerful architects of authoritarian control, employing strategies including administrative capture, alliance formation with ruling elites, and the weaponisation of regulatory agencies. Between 2009 and 2024, the regime perfected the art of democratic hollowing by manipulating elections, subverting courts, and weaponising administrative procedures while maintaining institutional facades. The study reveals how regulatory capture theory proved prophetic, as key institutions transformed into mechanisms for elite self-dealing, with systematic corruption undermining public trust while demonstrating how bureaucratic institutions served personal and political gain. This comprehensive analysis challenges assumptions about democratic resilience and emphasises that protecting democracy in the 21st century requires addressing both institutional capacity and normative foundations beyond mere electoral competition.