The violence in the oldest democracy over the Presidential election is a wider reflection democracy is facing worldwide. In this context bring out challenges democracy today and strategy to overcome them.

Approach:

Introduction:

Introduce briefly about democracy meaning and people-centric governance it supports. But, when very people attack violently against the democratic outcome than very foundation is challenged.

Body:

What are the challenges democracies are facing (also give examples wherever necessary).

• Rise of demagogues
• Ethnic/cultural differences
• Majoritarian democracy
• Declining trust in electoral process
• Fall in governance reducing trust in governance
• Technological disruptions and propaganda it support (Post-truth society)
• Economic crisis (Big economic crisis tends to bring in demagogues, strongmen ex- Great depression)
• Democracy itself (too much of democracy promoting a culture of protest sometimes supported by vested interests)

Suggestions:

• Promoting deliberations and freedom of speech – Basis of any democracy
• Developing trust in Electoral process (Ex- ECI taking steps to overcome trust deficit in EVM)
• Rule of law
• Autonomy of state agencies (preventing its misuse by those in power)
• Coalition of democracy at global level
• Decentralization with checks and balances

Conclusion:

Democracy like the world is witnessing turbulence. What is needed is more democracy and for that deliberations in society are of foundational importance.