Democracy in Focus: India's Indigenous Index Revealed

 

India to Publish Its Own Democracy Index

Background

India has been critical of Western indices and surveys on democracy. Now, it has decided to publish its own homegrown democracy index.

Necessity of a Homegrown Index

Western indices often present a biased view, as they:

• Focus on Western values and experiences
• Use small sample sizes and miss regional and socio-economic variations

Problems with Existing Indices

• Liberal Democracy Index (V-Dem): India ranks 104, below Myanmar, Kuwait, and Niger (which has a military dictatorship)
• Democracy Index (Economist Intelligence Unit): India ranks 126, below Pakistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Palestine
• Press Freedom Index (Reporters Without Borders): India ranks 161, below Afghanistan (under Taliban rule), Pakistan, Uganda, and Somalia

Why Have Homegrown Index?

• Provide a different perspective
• Consider factors relevant to India, such as:
  • Gun deaths in America
  • Hijab bans in Europe
  • Migration laws
  • Abortion restrictions