Government and NGOs in South Asia (Routledge Studies in South Asian Politics)

This book analyses efforts of Bangladeshi government and NGOs to strengthen local governance, and identifies the challenges posed by collaboration with NGOs.

Presenting a dominantly qualitative study, the analysis explores whether engagement between the Sharique project to strengthen local governance and the Union Parishads has translated into success. In doing so, it argues that evidence points to a positive impact on institutionalising good governance and fiscal autonomy through widening participation in planning and decision-making, reinforcing accountability of functionaries and enhancing tax collection. Furthermore, this book demonstrates that the collaboration has aided the process of development of social capital between officials of councils and NGOs, as well as amongst the community members, encouraging future partnership governance. However, with the phasing out of the project as a propelling force, it also shows that the results fall short of being sustainable and, as such, that statuary support, unequivocal political commitment, and incentivising engagements are required to stabilise outcomes.

Bridging a gap in the Development Studies literature, this book presents new findings on the collaboration of NGOs at the local level. It will be of interest to academics working in the field of South Asian Studies, Development Studies, and Asian Politics.

Mohammad Jahangir Hossain Mojumder, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Chowmuhani Government SA College, Noakhali, Bangladesh. His main areas of academic interest include (local) governance, NGOs, service-delivery, women’s empowerment, and remittances.

Pranab Kumar Panday, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. He was a senior Fulbright fellow at the Department of Development Sociology at Cornell University, USA, in 2012. Panday's main areas of research include political participation, social movements, NGOs and civil society, governance, and gender studies.