Authoritarianism in Democracy

Abstract

This chapter provides the current state of global democracy in terms of the parameters that measure democracy and the human wellness. Using the example of the world’s two largest democracies—India and the US—it argues that democracies tend to become more authoritarian—due to necessity or capitalistic greed—unless the populations are preferably less than 25 million, and people are informed, disciplined, educated, mono-cultured and wealthy. It showcases the reasons underlying India’s growing authoritarianism since 2014 and its deliberate shift towards a possible Hindu republic. It discusses the challenges that the US democracy faces and how democratically elected authoritarian leaders scratch each other’s back. The effects of religious and racial diversity, populism and a demigod status of political leaders on democracy are also discussed.