According to Freedom House’s 2025 report “Freedom in the World,” global freedom declined for the 19th consecutive year in 2024. While many have criticised the report for its biases, it remains a popular reference. One does not need massive research to observe that democracy is indeed losing its sheen globally. In the West, trust in democratic institutions is eroding. A Gallup poll in January 2024 found that only 28 per cent of adults in the US were satisfied with Democracy. That number was down from the prior record, 35 percent, that was measured around the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol Building.
The West’s democratic model worked well as long as it was rooted in historically uniform societies shaped by their monotheistic Christian values. It is now being shaken by the flood of diverse ideas and migration due to globalisation. In contrast, Bharat’s millennia-long tradition of embracing diversity has inadvertently enabled it to fully adopt modern democracy. The concept of freedom and democracy, as represented by the liberals of the West, actually aligns very well with Bharat’s pluralistic cultural narrative.
Acceptance of diversity enhances democracy, while any preference for uniformity creates an inherent conflict with today’s ever-evolving societies, thereby threatening the democratic foundations of the West.
The West’s Democratic Weakness: An Ethos of Uniformity
Modern democracy, born in the West during the late 18th century through the American and French Revolutions, was designed for societies aspiring for freedom from monarchy and assumed to be culturally and religiously uniform. Monotheistic traditions have shaped most of the world in the last two thousand years. Christianity and Islam have emphasised specific “Us vs Them” codes and have propagated ideas that promote cohesion within the religion but division and destruction beyond self. Shaping nations using the ideals of democracy was easy for countries such as the US, the UK, and France, as long as most of the population belonged to the same belief system. This uniformity was the basis of their democratic systems, which relied on predictable consensus among their population, with institutions such as parliaments and courts reflecting only this worldview.
Globalisation has upended this foundation. Since the late 20th century, migration and digital connectivity have introduced diverse ideologies and populations to the world. In 2023, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reported 135 million migrants in its member countries. It is no secret that drastic population shifts in Europe and the United States have historically been rooted in uniformity, leading to political polarisation and distrust. In 2021, a survey by Pew Research Center found that across 17 advanced economies, a median of 56 per cent believed their political system need significant changes or be completely reformed. Roughly two-thirds or more of the population holds this view in Italy, Spain, the United States, South Korea, Greece, France, Belgium, and Japan. The survey showed 85 per cent of the US population believed so. There is a strong perception in the West that democracy does not serve the interests of ordinary people.
The West’s democratic model, only a few centuries old, is ill-equipped for such rapid change. The West’s traditional strength—rigorous debate over ideas—has become a liability when core beliefs in uniformity have begun to clash with diverse realities. This conflict is manifesting in polarised politics (left vs right), restrictive voting laws, and a lack of trust in institutions.
Bharat’s Democratic Strength: A Legacy of Diversity
Bharat and Pakistan became independent at the same time. While Pakistan is a pseudo-democracy, Bharat has flourished as a vibrant democracy. The reason for Bharat’s success stems from its Hindu cultural embrace of diversity. This ethos of acceptance is evident in Hinduism’s democratic adaptability. When Buddhism emerged and challenged the status quo, Buddha was incorporated as an avatar of Vishnu, embracing his teachings within the Hindu fold. The teachings of Jainism, with its emphasis on non-violence, were similarly integrated into Hindu society, influencing Hindu ethical practices. Sikhism was born from within the families of Hindus who pledged that one of their offspring would become a Sikh to fight for freedom. From Persian traders to Christian missionaries, Bharat has welcomed external ideas, adapting its cultural and religious norms without losing its core identity.
This pluralistic foundation shaped early governance systems like the panchayat, documented in Vedic texts (1500 BCE) and Chola inscriptions (9th–13th centuries CE). These village councils, often elected, managed diverse community interests through consensus, fostering inclusivity despite social hierarchies. This tradition of participatory governance laid the groundwork for Bharat’s modern democracy, with a constitution that came into effect on January 26, 1950, inspired by Western models but rooted in Bharat’s pluralistic ethos.
Bharat’s modern democratic framework reflects this legacy. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) formalised Panchayati Raj, empowering local councils with reserved seats for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes, ensuring diverse representation. Unlike the US, where judicial appointments are politicised, Bharat’s independent judiciary upholds democratic checks, protecting minority rights through landmark rulings. Grassroots movements and welfare programmes, such as MGNREGA, amplify the voices of the marginalised, leveraging Bharat’s 1.4 billion-strong population. With 22 official languages and numerous dialects, Bharat navigates diversity through accommodation, rather than assimilation. A 2025 Pew survey found that 74 per cent of Bharatiyas were satisfied with their democracy, compared to 37 per cent in the US, underscoring Bharat’s resilience.
Lessons from Bharat
Bharat’s embrace of diversity offers a blueprint for the West to address its democratic crisis. Cultural narratives can rebuild trust—Bharat’s, such as the Mahabharata, or Gandhi’s legacy, inspire collective action, much as Western democracies could leverage civil rights or abolitionist histories to foster unity.
Inclusivity is paramount. Bharat’s reservation policies ensure marginalised groups are represented. At the same time, the West struggles with minority disenfranchisement, as noted in Freedom House’s 2021 US democracy score decline. Adopting affirmative action could bridge this gap.
Civic education, rooted in cultural context, can strengthen democratic foundations. Bharat teaches tolerance through its pluralistic history, while Western education could emphasise relatable narratives. The current experience of minorities in Western nations has been challenging. For instance, despite representations by Hindus, many Western societies emphasise representing Hindu sanskriti in negative narratives.
The West’s democratic foundations, built on a preference for uniformity, are faltering under the diverse influences of globalisation. Its strength in open debate is undermined by an inherent conflict with core beliefs that resist diversity, fueling distrust and polarisation. Bharat, with its millennia-long tradition of embracing diversity, has fully adopted modern democracy, aligning it with a cultural narrative of inclusivity. From integrating the Buddha as a Hindu avatar to empowering diverse voices through modern governance, Bharat demonstrates that democracy thrives when diversity is celebrated. The West must learn from Bharat’s modern democracy, decentralisation, and cultural adaptability to rebuild trust and strengthen democracy. By embracing diversity as a strength, rather than a threat, Western democracies can navigate the challenges of globalisation. Bharat’s example shows that democracy flourishes not just through constitutions but through a cultural ethos that welcomes change. The question remains: can the West overcome its rigid cultural foundations, or will it succumb to the weight of its own uniformity?
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