The story so far: India and the U.S. are often spoken of as the world’s largest and oldest democracies, respectively. In 2024, both countries will elect new governments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third straight term in the 18th Lok Sabha elections due in April-May. The U.S. will vote to elect a new President on November 5 -- the 60th time in its history. Incumbent President, Democrat Joseph Biden, is running for a second term.
What are the fundamental questions both the democracies are grappling with?
Both countries are grappling with fundamental questions regarding national identity, roles and powers of the executive, legislature, and judiciary, welfare and redistribution, and relations with the rest of the world. Other questions that are at the centre of political debates in both countries include pedagogy -- what to teach the next generation, history, the role of religion in public life, the rights and roles of various constituent social groups, women’s rights, affirmative action, border management, relations between the federal and regional governments, and the role of the media and civil society.
