Democracy

Sweden-based V-Dem (Varieties of Democracy) Institute has labelled India as an 'Electoral Autocracy' alongside Hungary and Turkey in its annual report. Citing constraints on various democratic aspects, the report said, “The world’s largest democracy turned into an electoral autocracy: India with 1.37 billion citizens.” The institute called India's 23% point drop on its 0-to-1 Liberal Democracy Index scale as "one of the most dramatic shifts… read-more

One of the top Republican leaders in the US Senate Mitch McConnell has congratulated the President-elect Joe Biden and vice-President-elect Kamala Harris after electoral college confirmed their victory. McConnell stated it is a proud moment to have Kamala Harris as first female Vice-president-elect. Interestingly, McConnell’s message was out of the blue as only a few Republican members appreciated Biden's victory since they do not want to… read-more

While attending a conference of securities and defence professionals, Microsoft President Brad Smith claimed cyber-attacks are a threat to democracy. Smith named four countries - Iran, Russia, North Korea and China - for constantly launching cyber-attacks on elections of other countries, and said this endangers the concept of democracy. He further opined that the cyberattacks prosper in "grey zone", a period that is neither war-struck nor… read-more

In her Independence Day message, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on August 15 urged Indian citizens to think whether they have the "freedom to ask questions, disagree and seek accountability". She made scathing comments against the Modi government and alleged that it is standing against "democratic system, constitutional values and established traditions". She also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Galwan Valley clashes.