Introduction Identity-based political mobilization has emerged as one of the defining characteristics of India's democratic experience. Since Independence, democratic politics has progressively expanded beyond elite-led nationalism to incorporate historically marginalized social groups organized around caste, religion, language, ethnicity, tribe, region, gender, and other social identities. Far from being a temporary phenomenon, identity politics has become … Continue reading Assess the extent to which identity-based political mobilization has transformed the nature of democratic politics in India, and examine the institutional reforms necessary to reconcile diversity with national unity.
Tag: communalism
Despite inheriting the institutional advantages of a professional civil service and a well-organized political party system at independence, Indian democracy has often been critiqued for its uneven and dismal performance. What structural, institutional, and socio-political factors account for this paradox, and how can their impact on democratic consolidation be critically assessed?
Democracy in India and the Paradox of Uneven Performance: Structural, Institutional, and Socio-Political Determinants of Democratic Consolidation The Indian experiment with democracy has often been described as a paradox. At independence in 1947, India was widely considered an unlikely candidate for a stable democratic order. A deeply divided society, widespread poverty, and low levels of … Continue reading Despite inheriting the institutional advantages of a professional civil service and a well-organized political party system at independence, Indian democracy has often been critiqued for its uneven and dismal performance. What structural, institutional, and socio-political factors account for this paradox, and how can their impact on democratic consolidation be critically assessed?