Daily Current Affairs : 13-March-2024

India’s adventure toward democracy has confronted significant setbacks, as highlighted in the Democracy Report 2024 released by the V-Dem Institute. Once hailed as a vibrant democracy, India has now been classified as “one of the worst autocracies” in the world. This essay explores the findings of the document, its implications, and the broader context of global autocratization.

Overview of the V-Dem Report

The V-Dem Institute, located at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg, compiled this report with the help of over 4,200 scholars from 180 countries. The data spans from 1789 to 2023, covering 202 countries in total. The report classifies regimes into four categories based on the Liberal Democratic Index (LDI):

  • Liberal Democracy
  • Electoral Democracy
  • Electoral Autocracy
  • Closed Autocracy

Key Findings

India has seen a troubling decline in its democratic status. Here are some of the key findings from the report:

  • India’s Ranking: India now ranks 104 in the LDI, down to 110 in the Electoral Democracy Index, and 92 in the Liberal Component Index.
  • Deteriorating Democracy: The report highlights a decline in crucial democratic components:
    • Freedom of expression
    • Clean and fair elections
    • Independence of the media
    • Participation of civil society

Global Trends

The report indicates a worrying global trend where 42 countries and around 3 billion people are affected by increasing autocratization. In this context, South and Central Asia stands out as the second most autocratic region, with Bhutan being the only country maintaining a liberal democracy.

Understanding the Component Indices

The V-Dem LDI is derived from two key indices:

  1. Electoral Democracy Index (EDI): This measures:
    • Fairness of elections
    • Freedom of expression
    • Access to information
    • Freedom of association
    • Right to suffrage
  2. Liberal Component Index (LCI): This emphasizes the protection of:
    • Individual rights
    • Minority rights
    • Safeguards against state oppression and majority rule

Important Points:

  • Democracy Report 2024 by the V-Dem Institute classifies India as “one of the worst autocracies.”
  • The report is compiled by over 4,200 scholars from 180 countries and covers data from 1789 to 2023.
  • India ranks:
    • 104 in the Liberal Democratic Index (LDI)
    • 110 in the Electoral Democracy Index
    • 92 in the Liberal Component Index
  • Key components of democracy that have deteriorated in India include:
    • Freedom of expression
    • Clean and fair elections
    • Independence of the media
    • Participation of civil society
  • Global Trend: 42 countries and approximately 3 billion people are experiencing rising autocratization.
  • South and Central Asia is the second most autocratic region, with Bhutan as the only liberal democracy.
  • The V-Dem LDI combines two indices:
    • Electoral Democracy Index (EDI): Measures fairness of elections, freedom of expression, access to information, freedom of association, and right to suffrage.
    • Liberal Component Index (LCI): Focuses on protection of individual and minority rights against state oppression and majority rule.
  • The findings highlight the urgent need for nations to safeguard democratic processes and fundamental rights.

Why In News

India, which was downgraded to an “electoral autocracy” in 2018, has further declined to be labeled as “one of the worst autocracies” in the world, according to the Democracy Report 2024 by the V-Dem Institute, raising serious concerns about the future of democratic governance in the country.

MCQs about Decline of Democracy in India

  1. What classification did India receive in the Democracy Report 2024 by the V-Dem Institute?
    A. Liberal Democracy
    B. Electoral Democracy
    C. Electoral Autocracy
    D. Closed Autocracy
    Correct Answer: C. Electoral Autocracy
    Explanation: India was downgraded to an “electoral autocracy” in 2018 and has further declined to be classified as “one of the worst autocracies” in the 2024 report.
  2. How many countries were included in the V-Dem Institute’s Democracy Report 2024?
    A. 178
    B. 202
    C. 150
    D. 180
    Correct Answer: B. 202
    Explanation: The report covers data from **202 countries** spanning from **1789 to 2023**.
  3. Which component of democracy is NOT mentioned as deteriorating in India according to the report?
    A. Freedom of expression
    B. Clean and fair elections
    C. Economic growth
    D. Independence of the media
    Correct Answer: C. Economic growth
    Explanation: The report highlights declines in freedom of expression, clean elections, media independence, and civil society participation, but it does not mention economic growth.
  4. What is the significance of the Liberal Component Index (LCI) in the context of the V-Dem LDI?
    A. It measures the economic stability of a country.
    B. It focuses on the protection of individual and minority rights.
    C. It assesses the military strength of nations.
    D. It evaluates the environmental policies of governments.
    Correct Answer: B. It focuses on the protection of individual and minority rights.
    Explanation: The LCI emphasizes safeguards against state oppression and majority rule, highlighting the importance of protecting individual and minority rights in a democratic context.

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