Challenges to Liberalism

Source-This post on Challenges to Liberalism has been created based on the article “India, liberalism and its crisis of legitimacy” published in “The Hindu” on 30 May 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2-Indian Constitution- Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure.

Context– The article highlights the importance of updating and broadening the concept of Indian liberalism. It should address criticisms while staying true to its basic principles of freedom, dignity, and fair representation. These values are deeply ingrained in Indian traditions.

Why is there a decline in liberal values across the globe?

1) Populist and authoritarian leaders are gaining ground globally. This marks a clear decline in liberal democracy from its peak after the Cold War, now existing in only 34 countries.

2) More and more people are losing faith in liberal democracy and values. They’re leaning towards other options like authoritarianism or military rule instead. An example is a Pew survey where 85% of people in India showed a preference for these alternatives.

Read more- Secularism in India

 What are the criticisms of liberal ideology?

1) Attacks on Liberalism from the Left –

A) Liberalism is seen as an elitist ideology that favors the interests of a small, privileged group over the needs of the majority. They argue that liberalism’s emphasis on individualism has increased economic inequality and the divide between the rich and poor in society.

B) Liberals are criticized for furthering corporate interests and marginalization of the disadvantaged.

2) Attacks on Liberalism from the Right-

A) The right sees liberalism’s focus on individual freedom as a threat to values that are centered around community, identity, and tradition.

B) They dismiss liberalism in India as a Western colonial import with no connection to traditional values and way of living.

Why is there a need to reform and expand the idea of Indian liberalism?

1) It is important to address issues such as the rise of undemocratic options, loss of faith in equal democracy, restrictions on personal freedoms, weakening of institutions, and the acceptance of prejudiced and narrow-minded viewpoints

2) It is important to bust the myth that liberalism is an imported concept. Contrary to being a Western import, key liberal values like individual liberty, freedom, social justice, and societal harmony have been deeply ingrained in Indian society since ancient times.

3) Liberal values are present in Indian cultural traditions and historical governing systems. These values are also expressed by influential figures like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, M.G. Ranade, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Gurudev Tagore, and B.R. Ambedkar.

What should be the way forward?

1) There is a need to engage with ideas of tradition and identity in a more comprehensive and sustained manner by recognizing oppression and discrimination and addressing feelings of marginalization.

2) There should be a balance between free enterprise and a commitment to social justice and welfare and a focus on equitable distribution of resources.

3) There is a need to usher in an era of political reform and revival of representative institutions to address centralization of power, lack of trust in institutions and prevent government’s overreach.

4) Liberals should come together by agreeing on common ground instead of arguing over differences. This unity is crucial to address serious threats to democracy.

Question for practice

What are the criticisms of liberal ideology? Why is there a need to reform and expand the idea of Indian liberalism?