Democracy and Inclusive Growth: Some Evidences from India

Democracy promotes economic development when it provides stable political condition and the policies suit the economic and social development in a country. It may retard economic and social development when the policies do not support the economic uplift and it has conflict with social tradition or public expectations. During the recent two decades, economic growth is not uniform across sections and a large section of people remain outside its purview. Due to the importance and need of inclusive growth, every country of the world is trying to achieve it instead of only economic growth. It is necessary for sustainable development and equitable distribution of wealth and prosperity and elimination of poverty and unemployment. Democracy is considered the best form of governance system by virtue of its essence nature. It is based on the ideals of dignity of citizens, principles of liberty, equality, fraternity, justice and a government having accountability towards its people so that it is an optimal system for inclusive growth. Further, success of democracy is judged by the achievement of inclusive growth. But Indian democracy has been facing some serious problems and challenges in the process of inclusive growth. On one hand its four pillars are under stress and strains and on the other side they are facing conflicts and contradictory situations. It is well known that democracy has some merits and demerits but our prime duty is to first use its merits as also to convert its demerits into merits for achieving inclusive growth.