Question

Discuss three major challenges before Indian Democracy.

Answer 1

Three challenges of Indian democracy are :-
1) Foundational Challenge: - The first challenge of Indian democracy is foundational challenge of making a transition to democracy and their instituting democratic government. This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military away from controlling government and establishing a sovereign and functional state.
2) Challenge of Expansion: - The second challenge that most of the democracies face is the challenge of expansion. This involves applying the basic principle of democratic government across all the regions, different social groups and various institutions. Ensuring greater power to local governments, extension of federal principle to all the units of the federation, inclusion of women and minority groups, etc., falls under this challenge.
3) Deepening of Democracy:- The third challenge of deepening of democracy is faced by every democracy in one form or another. This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy. This should happen in such a way that people can realise their expectations of democracy. But ordinary people have different expectations from democracy in different societies. Therefore, this challenge takes different meanings and paths in different parts of the world. In general terms, it usually means strengthening those institutions that help people’s participation and control.