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The World’s Biggest Democracy

In: The Asian Insider

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  • Michael Backman

Abstract

The ballot box is a good way for the electorate to communicate to its leaders its satisfaction with their performance. It’s not simply a case of whether this or that politician is re-elected but by how much. But it also serves as the means by which sectional interests can hold nations hostage. The need to cobble together coalitions means that voices are given a say that otherwise would go unheard. But there is another, perhaps more pernicious aspect. Democracy allows an impoverished, uneducated majority to punish an educated minority. It allows the poor to inflict damage on the rich and force the introduction of policies that do not aid freedom, the market and the economy but are anti-market and ultimately add to poverty. So when education and wealth are concentrated in the hands of a few, democracy is not so much a means of empowerment as a tool for revenge. Political freedom in this case is not compatible with economic freedom and good governance. It tramples it. Welcome to India.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Backman, 2004. "The World’s Biggest Democracy," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: The Asian Insider, chapter 0, pages 226-232, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-4039-4840-3_28
    DOI: 10.1057/9781403948403_28
    as

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