Global Democratic Hurdles: Foundational, Expansion, Deepening

A challenge is not just any problem. We usually call only those difficulties a ‘challenge’ which are significant and which can be overcome. A challenge is a difficulty that carries within it an opportunity for progress. Once we overcome a challenge, we ascend to a higher level than before.

Understanding Challenges to Democracy

Foundational Challenges

Different countries face different kinds of challenges. At least one-fourth of the globe is still not under democratic government. The challenge for democracy in these parts of the world is very stark. These countries face the foundational challenge of making the transition to democracy and then instituting democratic government. This involves:

• Bringing down the existing non-democratic regime.
• Keeping the military away from controlling government.
• Establishing a sovereign and functional state.

For example, Nepal was under monarchy until recent times. Now, Nepal has transitioned to a democratic system. Certain mindsets and systems will take years to change, as they have taken years to develop. Nepal is a very good example of the foundational challenge of democracy.

Challenges of Expansion

Most established democracies face the challenge of expansion. This involves applying the basic principles of democratic government across all regions, different social groups, and various institutions. Ensuring greater power to local governments, extending the federal principle to all units of the federation, and including women and minority groups, among others, fall under this challenge. This also means that fewer and fewer decisions should remain outside the arena of democratic control. Most countries, including India and other democracies like the United States, face this challenge. In India, certain socio-economically backward groups have yet to gain political power. Additionally, some North-Eastern states have not yet fully integrated with the mainstream in India. These are examples of the challenge of expansion of democracy.

Deepening Democracy

The third challenge, the deepening of democracy, is faced by every democracy in one form or another. This involves strengthening the institutions and practices of democracy. This should happen in such a way that people can realize their expectations of democracy. However, ordinary people have different expectations from democracy in different societies. In the early nineties, when T. N. Seshan became the Chief Election Commissioner, he brought about a revolutionary change by disciplining political parties. This, in turn, ensured fairer elections. This serves as an example of strengthening a particular political institution.

Conclusion: Diverse Democratic Challenges

From the descriptions above, it is clear that different countries face different kinds of challenges to democracy. These challenges depend on what stage of social development the country is in. Solutions to these challenges also depend on a particular country’s unique situation. It can be said that there is no prescribed method to tackle the challenges faced by a democracy.