Decaying democracy

At the dawn of independence when India declared that it is going to adopt a parliamentary form of democracy, theorists and specialists on democracy lamented that it is going to be a short-lived phenomenon as Indian society is afflicted with factors which are detrimental to the practice of democracy. It was not their wish. It was their observation based on facts. The factors such as hierarchical social divisions, extreme economic inequalities, discriminatory practices, illiteracy, absence of strong middle class and intense social conflict are antithetical to democracy. Theoretically, the arguments are valid based on the experience of societies in the world. Contrary to the theoretical views, democracy is in practice in many countries at different levels as the intensity of the antithetical factors at work varies from society to society. Depending on efforts of political institutions and leaders in the democratisation of societies, organisations and institutions, democratic culture is rooted at different levels from tribalistic to participatory political culture. Thus, it is always a process by which democracy is promoted and deepened. Promotion and deepening of democracy are not easy tasks and they are done through a process of struggle. In India, people struggled for freedom but not for democracy. It was provided through the stroke of a pen.

After India got independence, democratic institutions and organisations were created and the electoral process had been initiated to bring democratic practice in the Indian society. No doubt that elections have been conducted ever since independence, with a break of two years of emergency in an uninterrupted way, and thereby, all political activities have been organised centring around the election. As a result, what we found in India is that Indian democracy is institutional in nature and not behavioural as the activities for promotion and deepening of democracy have been given a go by. In the first two decades, initiatives have been taken to create awareness among masses about the values of democracy and the activities to be carried for the promotion of the same. Hence, democracy survives through election but the core values of democracy are in deep deficit. Why is that India witnesses a serious deficit of core values of democracy in Indian society and polity despite a vibrant Constitution to include everyone in India to enjoy all the benefits of democracy? This a question to be answered.

It is effectively argued that the Indian masses have been oriented by the political parties through a process of political mobilisation by using caste, religion, language, culture and region for electoral politics to win the election instead of pursuing development politics. Our politicians, by perpetuating politics of caste and religion, have not integrated the communities but rather worked for dividing them. Their mastery lies in only using the caste, religion, language, culture and region and not in pursuing development politics which ultimately works against perpetuating the core values of democracy. The core values of democracy such as liberty, equality, justice, fairness, equity, respecting dissent, participation, deliberation, debate, and freedom of expression are only in academic discourses and deliberation and not in the practice in everyday life.

Research studies show that a majority of people do not understand the meaning of the core values of democracy. Even the political institutions which are to work for democracy promotion through their activities, defray from practising the core values in their own institutional activities. It is the role of the state and the political parties to dismantle the barriers and obstacles in the democratisation of societies. But in reality, the state and the political parties in the last seven decades have reinforced the anti-democratic structures and values to seek votes. The scholars used to appreciate India for being in electoral democracy despite the strong presence of anti-democratic forces in society. Further, the opportunities which are created for deepening of democracy such as decentralisation of powers, and building people's institutions have not been used effectively by the political parties as they identify only with state and its institutions.

In the process of economic globalisation, one would find more of centralisation of powers in the name of reform to accelerate growth. The political parties have failed miserably to understand the new opportunities to work for people. They instead work for strengthening their organisation economically and thereby, have moved away from the masses emotionally. They all became corrupt to accumulate wealth and use the wealth for facing the election by using the money earned through dubious means. Thus, they swayed away from the values of democracy. By using caste and religion and purchasing voters from the political market for winning the election, the political parties are making a mockery of democracy. Unless the political courses are changed, even minimal democracy will reach its nadir. Hence, it is time to undertake democracy promotion activities and disseminate awareness regarding the values of democracy.

(The author is a former Professor and Rajiv Gandhi Chair for Panchayati Raj Studies, Gandhigram Rural Institute. The views expressed are strictly personal)