Bangladesh’s Fragile Victory: A Comparison with Afghanistan’s Plight
Bangladesh currently holds a slightly better position than Afghanistan in several global rankings, notably in democracy and press freedom, yet it reflects a troubling state of affairs. Despite achieving relative improvements, the country faces declining scores in corruption and governance. There is a pressing need for Bangladesh to aim higher rather than depending on Afghanistan’s shortcomings for its relative success.
Bangladesh has long endured trepidation regarding its potential descent into conditions similar to those of Afghanistan. Despite its struggles with corruption, press freedom, and democracy rankings, Bangladesh currently maintains a position slightly above Afghanistan in various global assessments, such as the Freedom in the World 2024 rankings, where it earned 40 points compared to Afghanistan’s dismal 6 points, highlighting a fragile yet significant difference.
In terms of the Rule of Law Index 2024, Bangladesh is positioned 127th among 142 countries, while Afghanistan occupies a lowly 140th spot. The Press Freedom Index for 2024 reveals that Bangladesh ranks 165th out of 180 countries, with Afghanistan trailing at 178th, thus contributing to Bangladesh’s narrative of relative improvement amidst declines. Furthermore, the Trace Bribery Risk Matrix ranks Bangladesh 147th out of 194, surpassing Afghanistan, which ranks at 186.
The 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) reflects a troubling decline in Bangladesh’s score to 23 out of 100, marking its lowest in thirteen years, contrasting with Afghanistan’s score of 17. Discussions surrounding Afghanistan evoke divided opinions within Bangladesh, with some concerned about Islamist extremism while others advocate for governance resembling that of Afghanistan. The contrasting rankings serve to highlight Bangladesh’s precarious position and the ongoing debate within its society regarding its future trajectory.
Despite maintaining a marginally better standing than Afghanistan, it raises further inquiries about how long Bangladesh can rely on its neighbor’s misfortune to stave off the nadir of global rankings. The country is effectively akin to a student just passing by, dependent on others’ lower performance to avoid failure. There is a pressing need for Bangladesh to strive towards higher standards rather than merely celebrating relative success over a struggling counterpart, as the continuous decline in rankings is a cause for serious concern.
In conclusion, while Bangladesh currently enjoys a precarious advantage over Afghanistan in various global rankings, this should not serve as a source of pride or complacency. The persistent decline in key metrics emphasizes the urgency for improvement and a proactive approach to governance, corruption, and freedoms. Rather than relying on Afghanistan’s lower standings to gauge its own success, Bangladesh must aim for greater heights to foster sustainable progress and avoid falling further behind.
Original Source: www.tbsnews.net
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