Dynastic Politics in India Undermines Democratic Meritocracy

4 days ago7 min read

The pervasive influence of political dynasties, from local councils to the national parliament, is significantly degrading the quality of Indian democracy by treating elected office as inherited property rather than a public trust. This system, which echoes pre-democratic aristocratic rule, prioritizes bloodline over capability and is creating a closed political class.A 2021 study by the Trivedi Centre for Political Data quantifies this trend, showing that over 30% of MPs in the 17th Lok Sabha hail from political families, a figure that has consistently risen over the decades. The consequences are severe: internal party democracy is stifled as tickets are funneled to relatives, capping the ambitions of competent outsiders.This leads to a governance deficit, where the focus shifts from solving national issues like economic growth and educational reform to managing family succession and preserving political fiefdoms. As noted by political analysts like Dr.Pratap Bhanu Mehta, this fosters a culture of entitlement and insulates leaders from accountability, as their power derives from inherited voter bases rather than performance. The resulting policy paralysis and blurred lines between state resources and family interests exacerbate corruption.While some argue that political legacies provide stability, this view overlooks the long-term institutional decay. The core democratic principle—that any citizen can aspire to lead through merit and effort—is being hollowed out, risking the emergence of a de facto oligarchy. Urgent electoral and institutional reforms are needed to restore meritocracy to Indian public life.

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#political dynasties

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#democracy

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#corruption