The Future of Democracy: Lessons from India, Britain, and the Global Struggle for Political Ethics

By Dr. Mathew Joys, Las Vegas-

In the early 20th century, great ideological battles existed between capitalist and anti-capitalist forces worldwide. But by the end of that century, we witnessed their declining plight. With the fall of the Soviet Union, the great power struggle that had been going on until then ended. 

While they succeeded in implementing the concept of joint development power, they failed to implement the ideology of Marxism throughout the world. However, it can be said that some countries have achieved this by exposing the dark shades of the capitalist system. The political experiment of Communist ideology failed, and the big question of what the alternative to the capitalist system has also remained unsolved. In that crisis, democratization emerged as the only option before the society. This resulted in propagating American capitalist principles. And now, even the word socialism is unheard of in our everyday vocabulary. During this crisis, the search for what democracy can do for the welfare of society has become more robust.

We have two images of democracy in our memory—first, Narendra Modi’s victory in India. If we look at the election results first, the BJP won 336 seats out of 543 seats in 2014 and took over the governance of India. There is a conviction that doubts about the powerful ruling party and their leader are being raised. It is not known whether it represents a general sentiment of India. Even if that reality stands, the ruling party is facing a delusional election to seize power for the third time. Indian citizens started grasping the dangers of religious centralization. It has been proved by rejecting Hindutwa ideology and Ayodhya emancipation during the latest Loksabha Elections.

The second picture shows the changes in the public opinion polls in Britain, and democracy is potentially getting stronger.

At the same time, political upheavals result from growing economic inequality worldwide. On the other hand, it is necessary to gain the dominance and the strength to intervene in the democratic process in a very ethical sense without seeing the social transformations that are taking place against the people by the religious and caste groups. Thus, one should keep any narrow thoughts from entering the democratic system. 

The power of governments is shifting towards fundraising. Therefore, through money, even capitalist interests have started to get recognition,  and economics has to be the basis of social welfare. French writer Thomas Piketty’s work “Capital in the Twenty-First Century,” which made a comprehensive study on this subject, and “Post-Capitalism: A Way to Our Future,” written by Englishman Paul Mason, can also be read together at this juncture. Democratic ethics is as important as democratic vigilance.

Should victory be the final word for the absolute majority? Rather than an absolute majority, the representation of the groups voted should also be considered. Only by doing this will responsible democratic systems grow. Only in this way is it possible for the democratic system to ensure a healthy social life. Financial insecurity also helps indirectly. So, while trying to see these two in a democratic system, practical corrections are inevitable. 

India’s Parliament has the highest voter participation in the world’s democracies. Since the election campaign started, the Malayali media in America has been evaluating the progress of the Indian Lok Sabha election. Among them, the American election, too, has been kept active in discussions.

However, despite all the limitations that will soon occur in our democratic system, the democracy that once stood before the present world is an incredible political possibility. Pure democracy – that remains the only possibility!