How has India – one of the largest countries in the world – remained a successful, stable democracy since its post-colonial independence? The answer, according to American comparative sociologist Professor Salvatore Babonescan be found in Hinduism – a religion that united India across its many sects and created strong civil society ties that underpin India’s resilient democratic system.
On the 10th of March 2026, the Australian Institute of International Affairs welcomed Professor Salvatore Babones to launch his new book, ‘Dharma Democracy: How India Built the Third World’s First Democracy.’ Introduced to the audience as a “champion in arguing based on evidence.” Professor Babones presented an overview of his book’s key arguments and findings about India – a country he describes as the world’s largest democracy.
‘Dharma,’ is a foundational concept in Hinduism, referring to one’s moral responsibility and duties and purpose in life, within a cosmic order in the universe. Professor Babones argues in his new book that this concept is fundamental to the success of India’s democracy.
Dharma, an idea found in all Hindu sects, has enabled Hindu Indians to connect across the country, uniting beyond social, economic and political groups. While the religion in the West places people in what Babones describes as “vertical silos,” Hinduism in India created “horizontal integrated connection” which cuts across societal divides.
However, India’s democracy has not existed without challenge and complexity. From 1975 to 1977, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a 21-month state of emergency across India, which saw the suspension of fundamental democratic rights, widespread censorship, the postponing of elections, and mass arrests.
India’s democracy has a varied characterisation across democratic indices and a predominantly negative perception in media and wider global society. Babones stated that this is due to democracy ratings who rate India poorly, most notably the V-Dem Institute’s Index, whose 2024 report labelled India as an ‘electoral autocracy.’ Others, like The Economist’s intelligence unit, rate it just below Italy. Now, it sits at number fourty-one in the world. Babones explained that these ratings are fuelled by the analysis of Indian academics who are critical of the government. He said that these rankings conceptualise democracy beyond what it actually is.
The core definition of democracy, according to Babones, lies in the answer to one key question: “Can you reasonably vote your government out of office?”
He explained that a ‘thin’ conceptualisation of democracy is important when understanding what democracy is. “Democracy is the institutional foundation and mechanism in society”, Babones said. Factors that the West associates with democratic values, such as access to education, healthcare, employment and safety, belong to a ‘thick’ conceptualisation of democracy. He argues that when we must consider whether a country is democratic, we must solely base our analysis on whether one can feasibly vote their government out. “The character of a country can be democratic even if their ideas are not”, he added. “India is a democracy for the same reason as those in the West. The voters and institutions may be different, but the theories and structure are the same.”
This idea is complex, considering the ongoing and deeply embedded racial divisions in Indian society, created by its caste system. Babones acknowledged this throughout his presentation, discussing the widespread social, political and economic exclusion of and discrimination against Muslims in India – 15% of India’s total population. He described the social othering and lack of Muslim representation he witnessed while in India at a political conference. “There is no doubt that social exclusion of Muslims is a serious problem in India”, he explained. The ‘parallel’ societies of Hindu and Muslim Indians was discussed during audience Q&A, with some members asking Babones about whether a country that has parallel systems of society, education, economy and politics can be considered truly democratic.
Babones returned to his central argument to explain that it is only through India’s strong, resilient democratic foundations that social factors in India – for example, equality, education and healthcare – can be improved.
The dispassionate and highly qualitative analysis by Babones in his new book offers a dynamic and detailed perspective on not only India’s history as a deeply complex society, but its future as one of the world’s largest and most significant democratic countries.
Written by Rhoen Kennedy
Rhoen Kennedy recently graduated from UQ with a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies / Advanced French. With a strong creative background in photography and writing, she will combine her interests in international politics, women’s rights and conflict dynamics with her passion for storytelling and ethical media, beginning a Masters of Journalism at the University of Melbourne later this year.
Edited by Eliza Hodge
