India a flawed democracy: Economist

[Spring Onion]

India a flawed democracy: Economist

Indo-Asian News Service

London, November 23, 2006


http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1850596,00050003.htm

India is one of the 54 countries that have flawed democracies, according to a new democracy index devised by the Economist Intelligence Unit, a division of the leading newsmagazine The Economist.

In a detailed analysis of the 'World in 2007', the magazine has devised the index that examines 60 indicators across five broad categories: free elections, civil liberties, functioning government, political participation and political culture.

As per the index, India is listed among the 54 'flawed democracies' that include countries such as Brazil, Israel, Poland, Romania and Estonia. The list of 'authoritarian regimes' includes Pakistan.

Twenty-eight countries including the US, Britain, Norway, Denmark and Portugal are listed as 'full democracies'. Sweden is described as a 'near-perfect' democracy.

According to the index methodology, India scored 9.58 out of ten for its electoral process and pluralism and 8.21 out of ten for functioning of government. Its score for political participation was 5.56 out of 10 and 5.63 out of 10 for political culture. It got 9.41 out of ten for civil liberties.

 

[Spring Onion]

So what u guys think about this report of Economist ??

 

[Bull]

Sweden is described as a 'near-perfect' democracy..

Very apt

According to the index methodology, India scored 9.58 out of ten for its electoral process and pluralism and 8.21 out of ten for functioning of government. Its score for political participation was 5.56 out of 10 and 5.63 out of 10 for political culture. It got 9.41 out of ten for civil liberties.

On the dot, this i would agree is a very correct ranking,especially political culture and public participation.

 

[ali ahmad]

good evaluation......political culture is important.....

 

[Spring Onion]

So what is the criteria of their ranking the countries ?
is it authentic ?

 

[Bull]

So what is the criteria of their ranking the countries ?
is it authentic ?

Critria are as stated, free elections, civil liberties, functioning government, political participation and political culture and all of them are relevant.

I m happy at the rankings India got,even thought its still being called a flawed democracy.

With such huge population, and a 20-30% poor people these figures are very good.

 

[Neo]

Very apt

On the dot, this i would agree is a very correct ranking,especially political culture and public participation.

Agree with The Economist and Bull.

 

[Spring Onion]

China had been put above India in this regard so whats your comment on that i dont know much about Chines political system so if anyone can comment on their ranking.

 

[Goodperson]

India has been put 29th rand, China and Pakistan were put under authoritarian regimes how china is above India? Did someone check Economist.com ?

 

[joey]

Democracy is sometims a hindrance to fast growth for developed countries, once developed democracy is needed else it might bought the downfall like USSR.

indian supreme court is now crackin on many corruptions on fast track basis, even it will pass a law to exempt police from any political intervention.

It is bringing better transparency, and oh yea its not flawed democracy, its flawed in some states and that too in remote villages.
but its slow for sure.

 

[Srirangan]

Just look at the quality of the guys in Parliament. Only 40% are even graduates. Idiots get voted in thanks to religious and caste based vote banks.

But why to blame the system? It is the people who comprise of the system. And it is the Indian voter electing those bloody idiots.

Grr.. Forcibly educate everybody!

 

[Bull]

China had been put above India in this regard so whats your comment on that i dont know much about Chines political system so if anyone can comment on their ranking.

I dont why there is so much oh hype surrounding India that even on the most irrelevant things comparisons are been drawn.

India has got some good points which was reflected in the rankings and so were the bad ones.
And im happy at the rankings India got, inspite of they calling it a "flawed democracy"

 

[Bull]

even it will pass a law to exempt police from any political intervention..

It can never be beyong political intervention, police is the extension of the legislature and will continue to be under the legislatures infuence.

It is bringing better transparency, and oh yea its not flawed democracy, its flawed in some states and that too in remote villages.
but its slow for sure.

Its a time consuming process, there are no short cuts.

The most important thing thats happening to India right now is the opening up of supermarkets for perishable and other agricultural goods.Tjis could change the way India functions.

 

[Spring Onion]

Just look at the quality of the guys in Parliament. Only 40% are even graduates. Idiots get voted in thanks to religious and caste based vote banks.

Well Sri dosnt democracy allows everyone to choos whoever they want irrespectiv of the point who is idiot and who is not

But why to blame the system? It is the people who comprise of the system. And it is the Indian voter electing those bloody idiots.

Grr.. Forcibly educate everybody!

Sri this very unfair to say about indians even Americans elected GW Bush

 

[Srirangan]

Well Sri dosnt democracy allows everyone to choos whoever they want irrespectiv of the point who is idiot and who is not

Well, sure we cannot 'choose' what people should be elected. But what we can do is have some benchmarks, some conditions:
- Everyone who wants to contest elections, should hold a valid degree
- Everyone claiming to represent 'poor farmers', should be knowledgeable about social and economic aspects of Agriculture and Agro based Industries

Dilution of standards is what is killing of the society, in India and abroad.

Sri this very unfair to say about indians even Americans elected GW Bush

I like Bush. But it is none of my business, I'm not an American.