Are we misreading Modi and India’s democracy? Prof. Salvatore Babones explains how the West completely misunderstands India’s fault lines—and why it matters.
Why the West Keeps Misunderstanding Modi’s India
A Liberal Democracy in Disguise?
India is often dismissed by Western commentators as sliding into authoritarianism. But Prof. Salvatore Babones insists this is a gross oversimplification. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi may speak in Hindu religious tones and appeal to a traditional electorate, his government operates within the bounds of a classic liberal democracy.
Despite accusations of democratic backsliding, the core institutions—elections, judiciary, media—remain intact. What’s changed, Babones argues, is not the system, but the language and culture of Indian politics.
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Englishstan vs Hindustan
There’s a cultural war at play: “Englishstan,” the legacy of elite, colonial-era institutions, is being replaced by “Hindustan,” a more populist, Hindi-speaking, religiously engaged public sphere. While this may look regressive to the West, it reflects the real India—deeply religious, conservative, and proudly democratic.
Modi’s BJP government resonates with this base, drawing support not through caste (as many Westerners assume), but by offering a unified Hindu identity that cuts across social divisions. Ironically, Modi is viewed as more anti-caste than many of his opponents.
We See Our Fault Lines, Not Theirs
The core issue, Babones explains, is projection. Western democracies view Indian politics through their own ideological fault lines—left vs right, liberal vs conservative—and misread what’s actually happening. The result? A skewed perception that conflates religious conservatism with political authoritarianism.
Why It Matters
India isn’t just another democracy—it’s the world’s poorest liberal democracy, with over 1.4 billion people and a rising global influence. Misunderstanding its politics has consequences not just for diplomacy, but for the West’s entire Indo-Pacific strategy.
