Global Movements and the Making of Indian Democracy (1950–2000)

Abstract

The period between 1950 and 2000 was transformative for India and the global political order. Following independence in 1947, India emerged as a sovereign democratic republic at a time when much of Asia, Africa, and Latin America were experiencing decolonization, ideological struggles, and political transitions. This research paper examines India’s democratic evolution from 1950 to 2000 within the broader context of global movements and democratic transitions. It explores how Cold War politics, the Non-Aligned Movement, decolonization, globalization, and human rights movements influenced India’s political institutions and democratic practices. The study also analyses India’s internal challenges, including the Emergency (1975–77), economic liberalization, coalition politics, and social movements, to assess the resilience and adaptability of Indian democracy. By situating India within global democratic trends, this paper highlights India’s unique role as both a participant in and a contributor to democratic transitions during the second half of the twentieth century.