Liberal democracy
Topic: Democracy: Forms of Government, Principles and Outcomes · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A liberal democracy has free and fair elections and also sets limits on power. These limits are the rule of law (the law is supreme and applies equally to everyone, including the government), independent courts, a free press, and rights for individuals and minorities. A majority that wins an election still cannot do whatever it likes. India is a liberal constitutional democracy.
Example
In Maneka Gandhi (1978), the Supreme Court held that a law taking away a person's life or liberty under Art. 21 must be "just, fair and reasonable". In ADR v. Union of India (February 2024), the Court struck down electoral bonds. In both cases, courts limited what an elected government could do.
Don't confuse with
- Illiberal democracy (Zakaria, 1997): elections are still held, but liberties, the media and the courts are curbed.