V-Dem report ranks India as one of top ten autocratisers in recent times
Notes India is no longer termed democracy, but “dropped down to electoral autocracy in 2018
In a significant revelation, the V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy) report has placed India in the bottom 40-50% of 179 countries assessed, citing a sharp decline in democratic values since 2013. The report positions India between Niger (higher ranking) and Ivory Coast (lower ranking).
Alarming trends suggest that India has become one of the top ten autocratisers globally, resulting in a democratic regression to levels last observed in 1975. Notably, India now holds the disconcerting distinction of hosting nearly half of the population residing in countries undergoing autocratisation.
Democracy Deterioration: A Global Phenomenon
The V-Dem report underscores a global surge in autocratisation, with 42 countries, encompassing 35% of the world's population, experiencing this trend. India, home to 18% of the global population, contributes significantly to the burgeoning autocratisation phenomenon. The report points out that India, which was formerly recognized as a democracy, transitioned to an "electoral autocracy" in 2018 and continues in that state as of the end of 2023.
Key Findings from the V-Dem Report:
1. Autocratisation Timeline:
The process of autocratisation in India gained momentum around 2008 and has followed the incremental patterns typical of the "third wave." The report suggests a gradual erosion of freedom of expression, media independence, and social media crackdowns, underscoring concerns over democratic backsliding.
2. Global Comparison:
India's autocratisation trajectory places it among the worst-performing nations in recent times. The report highlights the South and Central Asia region as the second most autocratic globally, with over 90% of the population residing in electoral autocracies.
3. Component Indices Analysis:
Liberal Democracy Index (LDI):** India ranks 104th, exhibiting a score decline, reflecting both liberal and electoral aspects of democracy. Pakistan, for context, stands at 119th.
- Electoral Democracy Index (EDI): India holds the 110th position, indicating challenges in holding fair elections and freedom of expression. The Clean Elections Index shows substantial deterioration, impacting 18 countries, including India.
- Liberal Component Index: Ranking 92nd, this index evaluates the protection of individual and minority rights. India demonstrates a decline in scores.
- Egalitarian Component Index: India's lowest ranking (137th) is in this index, measuring social groups' equal participation in politics.
4. Regional Context:
South and Central Asia emerge as the second most autocratic region globally, with 93% of the population residing in electoral autocracies. Bhutan stands out as the sole liberal democracy, emphasizing the regional democratic deficit.
Concerns Raised by V-Dem:
The report underscores India's diminishing environment for religious freedoms, citing instances of suppressing freedom of religion rights. It highlights the government's use of sedition and defamation laws to silence critics, indicating an erosion of constitutional commitments.
Digital Repression and Media Control:
The V-Dem report criticizes India's handling of dissent and digital repression, citing instances of internet shutdowns. India has been labeled the "Internet Shutdown Capital" for five consecutive years, accounting for 58% of global shutdowns last year. Social media control is flagged, with India, along with other countries, successfully censoring political content on platforms.
Global Impact:
India's demographic weight contributes significantly to the global autocratisation narrative, with 44% of the world's population residing in electoral autocracies. The report notes that developments in India drive many dramatic global trends, reflecting a 48% increase in the population living under autocracies.
“There is a rise by 48% of those living under autocracies. Also, “44% of the world’s population, or 3.5 billion people – reside in electoral autocracies, which include populous countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, The Philippines, and Türkiye.”
The V-Dem or Varieties of Democracy project, has been “measuring democracy” via “a multidimensional and disaggregated dataset that reflects the complexity of the concept of democracy as a system of rule that goes beyond the simple presence of elections.
The V-Dem project distinguishes between five high-level principles of democracy: electoral, liberal, participatory, deliberative, and egalitarian, and collects data to measure these principles.” The V-Dem institute is at the Department of Political Science at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.
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Ghaziabad: A 26-year-old woman from Ghaziabad has filed a complaint against her husband and in-laws, accusing them of harassment, body shaming, and demanding dowry. In her complaint, the woman alleges that her husband repeatedly told her she should resemble Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi and body-shamed her for not meeting these expectations.
The woman, a resident of Muradnagar, was married six months ago, with her family reportedly spending over Rs 76 lakh on the wedding. In addition to the lavish wedding, the woman’s family gifted her husband a Mahindra Scorpio, along with cash and jewellery. Despite these expenses, the woman claims her in-laws continued to harass her, demanding more dowry.
The complainant, whose husband is a physical education teacher at a government school, further alleges that he frequently body-shamed her, calling her “fat and ugly.” He allegedly insisted that she exercise for three hours a day, and when she failed to comply, she was deprived of food.
The situation took a darker turn when the woman found she was pregnant two months ago. According to her statement, she informed her mother-in-law, but received no response or support. The woman reportedly claims that her husband later gave her a pill, which she later identified online as being used for abortions. She alleges that when her health began to deteriorate, her in-laws sent her back to her parents’ home. After seeking medical attention, she was informed by doctors that she had suffered a miscarriage.
She also alleged that her husband frequently watched inappropriate content online and was a habitual womaniser.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Saloni Agarwal confirmed that an FIR has been filed at the women’s police station in Ghaziabad and an investigation is underway.
