‘...because hope is both nutrient and crop’: New Year ruminations

Democracy is still kicking, even if unwell

For nearly two decades, the global narrative around democracy has been one of decline. Once considered an unstoppable force for governance, democracy has faltered in various parts of the world, giving way to authoritarianism, populism and illiberal practices.

However, a few remarkable events in 2024 offered a glimmer of hope, proving that democracy, while vulnerable, has an inherent capacity for resilience. Nowhere was this resilience more evident than in Senegal, South Korea and India.

Each of these nations showcased different facets of democratic endurance, highlighting the importance of institutional vigour, civic engagement and the unpredictability of electoral politics. Among these, India’s 2024 general election stands out as a pivotal moment for the survival of democracy in the world’s largest democratic polity.

In the Sahel region, the democratic backsliding has been alarmingly visible, with a spate of military coups destabilising the region. Yet, Senegal defied this trend in 2024 with a peaceful election and a smooth transfer of power.

In South Korea, democracy faced an acute crisis when its president declared martial law. Yet, in a display of institutional vitality, members of parliament overturned the decree, and the military returned to its barracks amidst widespread public protests.

Perhaps the most compelling story of democratic resilience in 2024 comes from India. Over the past decade, India has been witnessing a steady erosion of its democratic fabric under the leadership of Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

With a sweeping majority in the Lok Sabha since 2014, Modi’s government pursued a series of majoritarian and undemocratic policies. From curbing press freedoms to weakening judicial independence and targeting minority communities, the signs of democratic decline were unmistakable.

The 2024 general election was widely seen as a referendum on India’s democratic future. Modi and the BJP campaigned aggressively, seeking not just another parliamentary majority but a two-thirds supermajority that would allow them to amend India’s secular Constitution.

Such an outcome would have profoundly altered the democratic character of the nation. Yet, Indian voters resisted. The BJP failed to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha, forcing Modi to form a coalition government.

This election also witnessed a resurgence of the Indian National Congress, with Rahul Gandhi in the vanguard. The Congress nearly doubled its seats, positioning Gandhi as the Leader of the Opposition and revitalising the role of dissent and debate in Parliament.

While Modi’s government remains in power, the 2024 election has undeniably curbed his ability to govern by decree. Parliamentary checks, long eroded under BJP dominance, are beginning to re-emerge. Coalition dynamics and a stronger Opposition have introduced a new level of accountability, curtailing the majoritarian tendencies that characterised Modi’s first two terms.

India’s 2024 election offers several key lessons for democracies worldwide.

First, it highlights the enduring power of the electorate. Despite structural challenges — from media bias to electoral polarisation — voters can act as a check against authoritarian overreach.

Second, the election demonstrated the importance of a credible Opposition. The resurgence of the Congress under Rahul Gandhi provided voters with a viable alternative to the BJP’s narrative. In a democracy, the presence of a strong Opposition is essential to foster debate, to ensure accountability and to prevent concentration of power.

Third, India’s experience underscores the need for institutional reform to safeguard democracy. While the 2024 election has checked Modi’s authoritarianism, the vulnerabilities in India’s democratic architecture—from the independence of its institutions to the impartiality of its media—remain a cause for serious concern.

As the world’s largest democracy, India’s trajectory has profound implications for global democratic norms. The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but the events of 2024 have shown that democracy’s obituary has been written prematurely. The stories of resilience in Senegal, South Korea and India should give heart to democrats in all corners of the world.

Ashok Swain is a professor of peace and conflict research at Uppsala University, Sweden. More of his writing can be read here.