The Rise of India's Second Republic: Vaishnav
Milan Vaishnav's article, "The Rise of India's Second Republic," in the Journal of Democracy (July 2024), introduces the concept of India's a "Second Republic" to describe the political order post-2014 under Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Despite the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) underperforming expectations in the 2024 general election, they secured a majority, affirming Modi's third consecutive victory. This period mirrors the dominant-party system previously seen under the Indian National Congress.
Key characteristics of the Second Republic contrast sharply with the First Republic (post-1950 founding):
Constitutional Framework: The First Republic established a liberal order with checks on power; the Second reinterprets legitimacy through majoritarianism, often sidelining illiberal actions.
Nation Concept: The First recognized India as a federal, diverse republic; the Second views it as a ‘civilizational state’ emphasizing Hindu heritage and Hindutva over secularism, prioritizing loyalty to the Hindu nation.
Federalism: The First maintained state-center balance; the Second critiques federalism as an impediment to efficiency.
The Second Republic's defining feature is the coexistence of increased electoral participation, notably with women's voting surpassing men's in 2019, alongside deepening illiberal tendencies. This includes a more capable yet coercive state apparatus that enforces welfare while stifling dissent through measures like the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, amendments to cyber laws, and tightened funding for civil society. Muslims, for example, are notably underrepresented.
Historically, democratic transformations saw three upsurges, with the Third (post-2014) marking record voter turnout amidst these shifts. The future political landscape is characterized by this complex interplay of democratic engagement and rising illiberalism.