How Inequality Undermines Democracy?

Democracy is a form of government where the people, or their elected representatives, are in charge. It is founded on the ideas of political equality, the use of the majority, and the defense of personal freedoms. The unequal distribution of assets, opportunities, and advantages among people or groups within a society is referred to as inequality. Wealth, income, a good education, access to healthcare, a place to live, and a job are a few examples of these resources.

Democracy and Inequality

Inequality Undermines Democracy

Democracy can be greatly impacted by inequality, and in many circumstances, it can even be undermined from within. Inequality can threaten democracy in a number of ways, as seen below:

Unequal representation

Wealth and economic disparities can result in unfair representation in the legislative branch. Campaign contributions, lobbying, and other methods of political influence are frequently available to those with more financial resources, placing others without such resources at a disadvantage.

Example

In the United States, affluent people and companies can influence political campaigns and obtain access to elected officials via their financial means, depriving those without such resources of adequate representation.

Limited political participation

With marginalized groups frequently having fewer access to voting, education, and other tools that can help them engage in the political process, inequality can also have a negative impact on political involvement. Some groups may become marginalized as a result, which is contrary to democratic ideals.

Example

Marginalized groups, such as those with low incomes and members of ethnic minorities, may encounter voting obstacles in many nations, such as voter ID laws or limitations on early voting, which may hinder their capacity to fully engage in the democratic process.

Lack of trust in government

People may believe that the government is unresponsive to their demands when inequality is high, which can undermine public confidence in the institution. Low voter participation, increased apathy, and a general feeling of disenchantment with the political system are just a few examples of how this can appear.

Example

A high level of corruption and economic inequality in Brazil has caused a general lack of trust in the government among the population, which has in turn fueled political polarization and a feeling of disengagement from politics.

Economic power imbalances

Economic power imbalances brought about by inequality have the potential to threaten democracy. Rich people and businesses have the ability to sway political outcomes in their favor by economic means, which can result in laws that only benefit a small portion of society.

Example

Large corporations frequently exert significant political sway in India, and some of these corporations receive preferential treatment from the government in the form of subsidies, tax breaks, and other benefits, while smaller companies and ordinary citizens may not have the same access to these benefits.

Polarization

Finally, political polarisation, which can hinder a democracy’s ability to function, can be exacerbated by inequality. Groups may adopt more extreme positions when they believe their interests are not being adequately represented, which can increase political polarization and divisiveness.

Example

In Hungary, the government’s several attempts to curtail the media’s and the judiciary’s independence, as well as its efforts to marginalize minority groups, have exacerbated polarization and weakened democratic institutions; some analysts have even raised the alarm about the country’s slide into authoritarianism.

Inequality Practiced in India

Income and wealth Inequality

India has some of the highest levels of these issues worldwide. The richest 1% of Indians own 73% of the nation’s wealth, while the poorest 50% own just 1%, according to a 2019 Oxfam research. A lack of work opportunities, access to healthcare and education, and patterns of property ownership are some of the factors that contribute to this disparity.

Discrimination based on caste

The caste system in India is a social hierarchy that has existed for many centuries. Caste-based discrimination was formally outlawed in 1950, yet it is still a major problem in Indian society today. Individuals from lower castes frequently experience prejudice and have fewer prospects for social mobility, work, and education.

Gender inequality

Social, economic, and political inequality are serious issues for women in India. In addition to being underrepresented in positions of power and decision-making, they are frequently paid less than males for doing the same task. Moreover, women are more likely to experience domestic abuse and sexual harassment.

Education Access

India has made considerable strides in recent years to improve education access, yet there are still large gaps. Children from low-income families and marginalized areas have lower attendance rates and higher rates of early dropout. Girls in particular face major obstacles to schooling because of things like early marriage and restricted access to sanitary facilities.

Regional Disparities

India is a big, diverse country, and there are big regional differences in terms of wealth, employment, and access to necessities like healthcare and sanitation. Rural residents frequently have restricted access to essential infrastructure and services, as do residents in various regions of the country, such as the Northeast.

FAQs On Inequality Undermines Democracy

Q 1. How does globalization contribute to economic inequality and weaken democracy in developing countries?

Answer:

Economic inequalities in developing nations can be made worse by globalization in a number of ways. Transnational corporations have the potential to generate a “race to the bottom” in terms of wages and working conditions, centralize money and power, and exploit workers and resources. 

By giving corporations and international financial institutions greater sway than democratically elected governments, globalization can also erode democracy by leading to policies that put private interests ahead of those of the public. Also, globalization might make it easier for wealthy individuals to evade taxes and move their money abroad, which would reduce the amount of money available for social and public services.

Q 2. How does income inequality affect the expansion and prosperity of the economy?

Answer-

The expansion and prosperity of the economy may be adversely affected by income disparity.  It may limit the majority’s purchasing power, which would diminish demand for goods and services and, thus, slow down economic growth.

In addition, income disparity can restrict access to education and training, which can result in a labor shortage, a decline in innovation, and lower productivity. Economic investment can be hampered by social discontent and political instability brought on by income inequality.

Q 3. What part can civil society organizations and individual people play in tackling inequality?

Answer-

Individuals and organizations from civil society can be extremely important in combating inequality. They can seek to modify discriminatory laws and practices, advocate for legislation and initiatives that address the issue and increase public awareness of it. They can also offer resources and assistance, such as financial aid, education, and training, to those who are negatively impacted by inequality.