Indian DemocracyEquality and Social Justice: ideals Inequality and Social Injustice: realities . liberty and fraternity Optimism about the transforming role of the state Choice made for equality and liberty.Historical underpinnings Constitution framers’ beliefs in equality. constraints on fraternity recognized Countering isolation and segregation . Stress on procedural democracy The choices led to Procedural democracy: legal equality and representative model of governance Focus on institutional arrangements in Procedural democracy . Substantive democracy? Politically engaged equal citizens. holding leaders accountable in substantive democracy Constraints on fraternity led to postponement of issue of substantive democracy Formidable barriers posed by stratification Stress on procedural democracy has skewed evaluation of Indian democracy . ability to exercise citizenship rights. Core values: Equality. freedom Depending on which of these three values get stressed particular models of democracy emerge . autonomy. realist.g. freedom and equality. * Model 1/ Autonomy privileged in alliance with freedom: Representative/ liberal pluralist * Model 2/ Freedom privileged: Libertarian (e.Indian model participatory. instrumental value only: Realist * Model 6/ Autonomy privileged. with interventionist state Principles justifying democracy a mosaic: autonomy. in alliance with equality: Participatory * Model 5/ Rejection of normative principles. in alliance with freedom. New Right) * Model 3/ Equality privileged: Social democracy (Redistribution is a role of the State) * Model 4/ Autonomy privileged. equality: Deliberative . Combinations indicate a particular model of democracy. Autonomy Representative Liberal Pluralist Participatory Freedom Libertarian Equality Social democracy . particularities stressed in competitive environment making claims on state (language/ region/ religion) Further strengthened with political assertion of the historically-disadvantaged non-SC/ST— broadening of democracy Trends towards centralization by mid-70s .Strengthening of identity politics Political participation & legal equality led to political mobilization Identity politics strengthened. .Democratic challenges to this centralization: 1) federalization of the polity (emergence of regional parties). 2) local democracy (instrumental and intrinsic justification). 3) environmental and other movements that run counter to dominant development models. guarantees of freedom are generally sustained. Constraint: permanent majority and minority. . While there are frequent breakdowns. Equality enshrined in Constitution: equality before the law.Procedural democracy: ++ Political participation and contestation have increased. Success in procedural democracy. and equal protection of the law (with the former qualified by provision of advancement of backward communities). socio-economic deprivation. caste inequalities. panchayati raj. . Political equality compromised by inequalities in distribution of power and resources in society. Indian democracy weak. Obstacles to exercise of equal rights: patriarchy.Substantive democracy: - On dimensions of accountability/responsiveness. multiple identities leading to multiple oppressions. Transparency (RTI). Challenges 1. universal citizenship rights vs community rights Civil Society—understand the difference between the prescriptive and descriptive dimensions of civil society. Civil society as a bridge between citizens and the state. Diversity—negotiating recognizing cultural plurality and endorsing equality—unresolved issue. 2. freedom of religion. cultural rights of minorities. between democracy in formal governance and the absence of conditions necessary for democracy . compensatory discrimination. in spite of slower negotiations.3. addressing human dimension of development. this challenge perhaps now more important since 1991 New agenda: “Inclusive development” . Development—democracy and development not mutually exclusive. 4. 5. 6. human capital and influence were already well established . Accelerated growth in recent times and an exacerbation of inequalities—regional. resources. social and economic Benefits accruing more to those areas where the infrastructure. 5. Public investment in infrastructure Social policies (land. 2.Governance challenges 1. social security. 3. 4. financial inclusion) Inclusive governance Dealing with social violence as symptom of exclusion Dealing with impatience with corrupt systems .