Why can't we strengthen ethical culture?

Bangladesh has made significant progress in areas such as economic growth, education and digital services. However, one big problem still holds us back: the struggle to build a strong ethical culture and enforce genuine accountability across institutions and everyday life. This struggle is not because Bangladeshis lack values or morality; rather, it stems from a combination of entrenched systemic flaws, socio-economic pressures, cultural practices and weak institutional enforcement.

In many cases, unethical behaviour yields faster rewards than honest effort, creating a mindset where bending rules feels practical rather than shameful. In a system where influence can bypass procedure, public services often require "managing," exam cheating is normalised and influential individuals rarely face consequences; as a result, citizens begin to internalise the notion that success comes from shortcuts rather than integrity. Economic insecurity magnifies this issue: when many families face financial uncertainty and lack reliable social safety nets, survival instincts sometimes override ethical standards.

Additionally, our education system places a heavy emphasis on academic performance and memorisation, while offering minimal attention to civic values, ethical reasoning and moral leadership. Young people grow up observing that honesty often goes unrewarded. At the same time, political networks, favouritism and informal influence can fast-track careers and privileges, gradually shaping a social mindset that normalises manipulation over merit.

The truth is, ethical culture cannot thrive in a vacuum; it must be supported by laws that apply equally to all, strong institutions that resist political interference, digital systems that minimise points of human corruption, and public recognition of integrity rather than wealth or power alone. Countries that successfully transformed their ethical landscape such as Singapore, South Korea, and Japan did so through consistent enforcement of rules, revised curricula, independent oversight bodies and cultural reorientation driven by leaders who modelled integrity. Bangladesh can follow a similar path by strengthening the rule of law, modernising public administration, digitalising services to reduce direct contact and opportunities for bribery, reforming education to include moral and civic training and promoting a national narrative that celebrates honesty, discipline and public responsibility.

Maruful Hasan

North South University