Why does India still face challenges in addressing national development issues despite nearly seven decades of democratization?

Yifan  Hu

doi:10.54691/yadv0597

Authors

Yifan Hu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/yadv0597

Keywords:

Indian democracy, governance challenges, economic liberalization, gender inequality, postcolonialism, institutional reform.

Abstract

India's seven-decade-long democratic journey has sustained political stability yet struggled to resolve persistent governance challenges, including economic disparities and gender inequality. This study employs a postcolonial framework and mixed-methods analysis to interrogate why democracy—despite enabling post-1991 market reforms and economic growth—fails to address systemic issues. Findings reveal that pre-reform stagnation stemmed from protectionist policies and bureaucratic inefficiencies, not democracy itself, while post-liberalization progress highlights the system's adaptability. However, entrenched gender discrimination, rooted in patriarchal norms and low female political representation, exposes democracy's inability to counter horizontal social oppression. Colonial legacies, socio-cultural fragmentation, and institutional inertia further constrain governance efficacy. The research concludes that India's democratic system operates within bounded limitations, requiring complementary reforms in economic inclusivity, social justice, and participatory governance to bridge the gap between procedural democracy and equitable development.

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