The last week saw the United States host a Summit for Democracy aimed at “renewing democracy at home and confronting autocracies abroad.” This event also marked the announcement by the US President of the establishment of the Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal. Funded by $424.4 million, this initiative is focused on supporting free media, combating corruption, reinforcing democratic reforms, endorsing the use of technology for democracy, and protecting free and fair elections.
Summit for Democracy: Thematics
The Summit was primarily centered around three themes:
1. Resisting authoritarianism
2. Addressing and combating corruption
3. Advancing respect for human rights
The core idea was to demonstrate how open, rights-respecting societies can join together to efficiently tackle current challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic, climate crisis, and inequality.
India’s Standpoint at the Summit
India, being the world’s largest democracy with 2,500-year-old democratic traditions, brought to the table the idea that democracies should collaboratively control social media and cryptocurrencies to ensure they empower, rather than sabotage democracy. It also proposed to share India’s democratic experience through digital solutions.
What is Democracy?
Democracy is a government system where citizens either exercise power directly or elect representatives to form a governing body like a parliament. It involves a non-inheritable power structure where people elect their leaders, with the representative getting the most votes assuming power.
India’s Journey as a Democracy
With its independence in 1947, India emerged as the world’s largest democracy, providing its citizens the right to vote and elect their leaders.
India’s Role in Strengthening Democracy
Over the years, India has played a significant role in reinforcing democracy around the world through capacity building, international collaboration like the Developmental Partnership Administration (DPA), and funding to organizations like the UN Democracy Fund. It also played a crucial role in forming the United Nations Democracy Caucus.
Facets of Indian Democracy
Within India, democracy is deeply rooted and reflected in its society: Dalit women rising to higher offices, people’s access to information, and democratic decentralization are a few examples that illustrate this.
Concerns Regarding Global Democracy
Despite several advancements, democracies worldwide face considerable challenges such as decline in political rights and civil liberties, alarming decline of democracy, emergence of authoritarian powers, and military coups in countries like Myanmar, Tunisia, and Sudan.
Democracy Concerns in India
India’s democratic status has been challenged by reports like the Freedom House 2021, V-Dem, and the Global State of Democracy 2021, with claims of being only “partly free”, an “electoral autocracy”, and among the ten most backsliding democracies.
Moving Forward: Towards A Stronger Democracy
To maintain India’s democracy, it’s essential for all government bodies to work synergistically, uphold people’s trust, and ensure the principles of true democracy are followed. It’s also equally important for government institutions to hear criticism and respond thoughtfully and respectfully. The independence of the press and judiciary, pillars of Indian democracy, must be maintained to ensure an effective audit of other arms of the government.