ABSTRACT
This chapter justifies the requirement that government needs to play an effective role in establishing a political environment supportive of accountability. Accountable government is deemed to be good government, and carries with it connotations of advanced democracy. The government's primary role is to persuade political parties to provide alternative sources of policy expertise to the bureaucracy. Part of the responsibility of the government is to operate the civil service as an impartial institution working under parliamentary control and within the rule of law. The government should decentralise its administrative system, vesting greater authority and responsibility at local level. Judicial independence is important so that government can no longer escape its legal obligations. The government should make the office of Ombudsman independent of it so that government departments can be made accountable for any maladministration. In Bangladesh, there is widespread concern about government performance and a perception that the government is not properly prepared to establish accountability and a responsive administration.
