Document Type

Article

Department

Government (CMC)

Publication Date

4-2007

Abstract

There is no doubt that India’s democracy has become stable, yet economic change could create distributional conflicts and stresses on its democratic institutions. Economic change and liberalization have served to reinforce and further stabilize democracy rather than undermining it. This has happened partly because of the nature of economic and social transition, which has allowed the rich many options in the private, urban, and global economy. Simultaneously, the poor are divided and seek redress through electoral and democratic channels. Weak coalition governments in the 1990s have responded to claims from the poor contributing to the continuing stability of Indian democracy.

Comments

This article first appeared in Journal of Democracy Volume 18, Number 2, April 2007, 41-54. Reprinted with permission by Johns Hopkins University Press.

Rights Information

© 2007 National Endowment for Democracy and The Johns Hopkins University Press

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