This paper develops a theoretical perspective of analyzing the role of public bureaucracy in a democratic governance, and then based on the theoretical framework examines the role of the bureaucracy in democracy and development in Bangladesh. This paper also argues that the bureaucratic culture and practice in Bangladesh are hindrances to democratic ethos and development of Bangladesh. In this paper, it is also argued that reform efforts of the regimes of Bangladesh for democratizing bureaucracy and enhancing socioeconomic development in Bangladesh were much more rhetorical and political than the reality. Furthermore, this paper argues that the failure of the administrative reforms for sound, transparent and honest governance, and decentralization of administration for ensuring people’s participation for development of Bangladesh were contingent upon several factors, such as lack of political commitment, insincerity of the regimes, bureaucratic resistance, intransigence and so on.