The Great Indian Democracy

Abstract

India, a country of 1.3 billion people, 150 languages, 7 religions and enormous socio-economic disparity. The largest democracy in the world today.
Despite doubts raised by western scholars on whether democracy could be sustained in a country like India, the Indian people have chosen to maintain a democratic system of governance for the last 72 years since its independence. However, just as the state of democracy in different countries around the globe has come under an alarmed radar, not much has been different in India. Studying the journey of the Indian democracy under the light of cultural values enables one to understand some of the constraints in adopting a fully democratic system in a country like India where so far, dynastic politics has now paved the way for more assertive governance. Well on its way to becoming the next global power, thanks to a young and educated middle class population, the Great Indian Democracy maybe at a turning point in its history.