The ‘world’s largest democracy’ i.e., India, and the ‘world’s most powerful democracy’ i.e., the United States, are in the throes of election season. It is testing times for the 'Idea of Democracy’ globally as both democracies have seen a backslide in their proudly liberal traditions and spirit.
Over the last decade, all international indices on the status of Indian democracy have red-flagged the steady regression by labelling it from a 'Flawed Democracy’ (as per The Economist Intelligence Unit) to an ‘Electoral Autocracy’ (as per V-Dem Institute). The latter noted gravely that India was “one of the worst autocratisers lately.”
The US democracy has fared no better. It too has sunk from a ‘Full Democracy’ to a ‘Flawed Democracy’.
The so-called ‘beacon of freedom for the world’ stares at the possible return of an incumbent who is facing 88 criminal charges for attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 Presidential Elections.