Source: On global indices measuring democracy, The Hindu, April 5, 2024
In the realm of global governance, democracy indices serve as vital tools for assessing the health of democratic systems worldwide. Recently, India has been scrutinized by various indices, including the V-Dem Institute’s assessment labeling it as one of the worst autocratisers.
Alongside, indices from Freedom House and The Economist Intelligence Unit have downgraded India’s democratic standing. These evaluations prompt India’s interest in releasing its own democracy index, aiming to counter criticisms and present its perspective on democratic governance.
Why India is Concerned about Negative Democracy Indices
Perceived Threats to Democracy
- Consensus among various indices suggests India’s democracy is in jeopardy.
- Negative commentary from think tanks and agencies prior to elections impacts ratings.
- Rejecting global assessments, India challenges ratings on democracy, press freedom, and other factors.
- Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar criticizes index makers as “self-appointed custodians.”
Challenges to Assessment Methods
- Flawed methodology and inadequate sample sizes undermine credibility.
- Allegations of cultural bias and subjective opinions overshadow objective metrics.
- India’s ranking alongside countries like Niger and the Ivory Coast raises questions.
- Mr. Jaishankar argues India performs comparably to other democracies regarding fair elections and participation.
Approaches to Measuring Democracy
Types of Data Used by Indices
- Observational data (OD): Includes measurable facts like voter turnout rates.
- ‘In-house’ coding: Researchers analyze country-specific information from academic material and newspapers.
- Expert surveys: Experts from a country provide subjective evaluations.
- Representative surveys: Selected citizens offer judgments on democracy.
Debates Over Methodology
- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights favors observational, objective data for broader acceptance.
- Some argue for the necessity of expert intervention to capture on-ground realities of governance.
- Disagreement exists regarding the sufficiency of fact-based metrics versus judgment-based approaches.
Limitations of Democracy Indices
- Assess various dimensions beyond electoral democracy.
- Questions include participatory nature, deliberative decision-making, and egalitarian distribution.
- Varies in indicators used, weightage, and aggregation model.
- Subjectivity affects credibility and precision.
- Concerns over the scope of countries included.
- Perceived ideological discrepancies due to the vague definition of democracy.
Conclusion
- No perfect democracy index exists.
- Indices provide insights into broad dynamics and trends.
- Facilitate benchmarking of regimes and comparison over time and geography.