Successful Policy Implementation in a Country Where Success Seldom Happens: The Case of the Ban of Two-Stroke Engine Vehicles in Dhaka
Social Change, Vol. 35, No. 2, June 2005
11 Pages Posted: 18 Feb 2012 Last revised: 15 Jul 2014
Date Written: June 16, 2005
Abstract
While the extent of successful implementation of policy is very low in Bangladesh, the ban on two-stroke engine vehicles in Dhaka was an exception. The policy was one which involved a large amount of change as well as high goal consensus. It got the support from all arenas, including from those who had to suffer its consequences, namely, the owners of the vehicles; the vehicle drivers - some 13 thousand strong, who wielded significant political clout; and the commuters who used these vehicles as taxis to move about in the city. Several actors and factors played a vital role to make the implementation of the policy a successful one. Public interest litigation, political will, support of opposition parties, role of the media, and commitment of implementing agencies were all important, but it was political will and efforts to mobilize support that were critical.
Keywords: policy implementation, Bangladesh, ban, two-stroke engine vehicles, public policy
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