| ID | 022616 |
| Title Proper | Indian democracy: the rule of law on trial |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Jaffrelot, Christophe |
| Publication | Jan 2002. |
| Description | 77-121 |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | The unprecedented rise of corruption and the criminalization of politics in India are a threat to her democratic regime. This development is not due to the personality of the key figures of post-independence India, but stems from socioeconomic and political conditions: the "licence raj" led businessmen to bribe bureaucrats and politicians to get their projects cleared; its dismantlement under Delhi's economic liberalization policy generates even more corruption since the Indian economy offers more revenue-making opportunities. Besides the impact of these changing economic structures, the rising cost of elections under an ever competitive policy increases the politicians' search for money. However, the rule of law still has defenders. India has a robust judiciary and a virtually independent Election Commission. The "judicial activism" on which the former embarked in the 1990s has certainly made some impact. The Election Commission has also seriously pursued its role of protecting the public scene from the gangrene of crime. |
| `In' analytical Note | India Review Vol: 1 No 1, Jan 2002 77-121 |
| Journal Source | India Review Vol: 1 No 1 |
| Key Words | Democracy-India ; India-Democracy ; Secularism-India |