New Delhi, India, 2025 — Around the globe, a new wave of illiberal democracies appears to be taking shape. These regimes maintain the outward trappings of democracy—elections, parliaments, and constitutions—while undermining freedoms, eroding checks and balances, and centralizing power. This phenomenon raises pressing questions about the sustainability of democratic governance and the future of civil liberties.

In India and beyond, signs of illiberal practices are sparking debates on the resilience of democratic institutions in the face of growing authoritarianism cloaked in democratic legitimacy.

What Is an Illiberal Democracy?

An illiberal democracy is a system where elections are held, but civil liberties, political freedoms, and institutional checks are systematically weakened. These regimes often:

• Suppress dissent and media freedom.
• Consolidate executive power.
• Erode judicial independence.

India: Guarding Against Illiberal Trends

India remains a vibrant democracy, yet there are growing concerns about trends that resemble illiberal practices.

1. Media and Freedom of Expression

• The Reality: India ranks 150th in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, highlighting challenges to journalistic independence.
• Example: Investigative journalists reporting on corruption or government policies face increasing legal and physical threats.
• Impact: A constrained media landscape reduces transparency and undermines democratic accountability.

2. Electoral Campaigns and Polarization

• The Data: The Election Commission of India (2025) reported a 25% increase in communal rhetoric during the 2024 General Elections.
• Impact: Polarizing campaigns shift focus from developmental agendas to identity politics, undermining inclusivity.

3. Institutional Independence

• Example: The judiciary, while constitutionally independent, has faced allegations of executive interference in key appointments, as highlighted in the 2024 PRS Legislative Research Report.
• Impact: Weakening institutional checks erodes public trust in democratic governance.

Global Examples of Illiberal Democracies

1. Hungary: Democratic Backsliding

• Overview: Under Viktor Orbán, Hungary has systematically curtailed judicial independence and press freedom while consolidating executive power.
• Impact: The European Union (2024) flagged Hungary as a “partially free democracy,” with reduced adherence to democratic norms.

2. Turkey: Centralized Governance

• Overview: Turkey’s constitutional amendments in 2017 concentrated power in the presidency, reducing parliamentary authority.
• Impact: Amnesty International (2023) criticized Turkey for its declining civil liberties and increasing authoritarian tendencies.

3. Brazil: Populism Meets Governance

• Overview: Brazil has witnessed leaders undermining environmental laws and judicial processes while appealing to populist sentiments.
• Impact: A 2024 UN report highlighted the erosion of minority rights and the weakening of judicial oversight.

Challenges Posed by Illiberal Democracies

1. Erosion of Civil Liberties
   • Example: Freedom House (2024) noted that nearly 30% of democracies globally have seen significant declines in civil liberties over the past decade.
2. Institutional Decline
   • Concentrated power weakens critical institutions like the judiciary and electoral commissions, reducing checks and balances.
3. Economic Inequality
   • Illiberal democracies often prioritize elite interests, exacerbating inequality and social unrest.

How India Can Resist Illiberal Trends

1. Strengthening Media Freedom
   • Enacting laws to protect journalists and ensuring public access to diverse, independent media are critical steps.
   • Example: A recommendation by the Press Council of India (2024) calls for stricter penalties for attacks on journalists.
2. Safeguarding Electoral Integrity
   • The Election Commission must enforce stringent regulations to curb hate speech and promote issue-based campaigns.
3. Empowering Institutions
   • Reaffirming the independence of the judiciary, civil services, and election commissions can act as a bulwark against illiberal practices.

Lessons from Global Democracies

1. United States
   • Despite challenges from political polarization, independent institutions like the judiciary have upheld democratic norms.
   • Takeaway for India: Strengthening institutional checks is essential for resisting authoritarian tendencies.
2. Scandinavian Countries
   • Robust social equity programs ensure public trust in governance, preventing the appeal of populist authoritarianism.
   • Takeaway for India: Inclusive policies can counter the social divisions exploited by illiberal regimes.

Conclusion: The Need for Vigilance

The rise of illiberal democracies is a global trend, but its implications are deeply local. For India, preserving its democratic ethos requires constant vigilance, institutional strengthening, and the active participation of its citizens.

By learning from global examples and addressing domestic challenges, India can continue to be a beacon of democracy in a world increasingly grappling with illiberal tendencies. The future of democratic governance depends on resisting these trends and ensuring that democracy remains a system of the people, by the people, and for the people.