Illiberal democracy
Topic: Democracy: Forms of Government, Principles and Outcomes · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
In an illiberal democracy, elections are held regularly, but the government curbs freedoms, the media and the courts. Majority rule works without the limits that a liberal democracy places on power. Fareed Zakaria popularised the term in 1997. It shows that elections alone do not make a full democracy.
Example
An elected government wins a big majority. It then uses that majority to silence critical newspapers and weaken judges' independence, while still holding elections on time. India, by contrast, is a liberal constitutional democracy. Its rights are protected by Art. 19 and enforced through courts under Arts. 32 and 226.
Don't confuse with
- Liberal democracy: this has elections plus limits on power, such as the rule of law, independent courts, a free press, and rights for individuals and minorities.
- Procedural democracy: this judges democracy only by elections and franchise. Illiberal democracy is what can result when that is all there is.
Related concepts
- V-Dem Democracy Report
- EIU Democracy Index
- Freedom in the World
- World Press Freedom Index
- Electoral autocracy
- Hybrid regime
- Democratic backsliding