Editorial 1 : In the Name of Democracy
Context: 2024 gave us reasons to question and have faith in democracy
Introduction: The year 2024 witnessed political and climatic extremities. In the case of the climate, it is possible to forecast a trend based on known anthropogenic factors. In the case of democracy, it might not be easy to read the future based on the outcome of the 2024 elections
Key Observations from the 2024 Elections Around the World
- Global Democratic Participation
- Almost half the global population across countries such as India, the US, Indonesia, the UK, South Africa, and Germany participated in elections.
- These elections were described as a “make-or-break year for democracy,” emphasizing their importance.
- No Clear Political Shift: There was no definitive global trend toward either left- or right-leaning politics.
- Rise of Opposition
- Anti-incumbency: Over 80% of incumbent parties globally experienced declining support.
- Example: Botswana, USA, UK, Panama, Portugal, Ghana, and Uruguay.
- Mixed Outcomes: In India, South Africa, and Japan, incumbents retained power but lost significant seats.
Challenges
- Disenchantment with Democracy
- PEW’s global survey (2024) across 31 nations revealed widespread dissatisfaction.
- About 54% of adults were not satisfied with the way democracy worked in their country
- People felt disconnected from political leaders and institutions.
- They found that political parties did not represent their interests and that the common man had no influence on politics.
- Decline in Democratic Parameters
- In its Global State of Democracy Report 2024, the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) finds a decline in parameters such as credible elections, effective parliament, economic equality, freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
- Weakening of these factors raises questions about the fundamental structures of democratic systems and casts doubt on the extent to which people have the civic and economic space to cast informed votes.
Voter Disenchantment: Factors
- Governance Failures and Broken Aspirations
- Democratic governments have failed to meet public aspirations due to:
- Misgovernance and corruption.
- Misplaced priorities, focusing on short-term appeasement (e.g., doles) rather than long-term growth.
- Rule of law and equality have often been undermined by manipulative political power.
Polarization and Decline in Political Decorum
- One noteworthy and disturbing feature of the 2024 electioneering was the dilution of decency in public discourse, whether or not a model code of conduct existed.
- Election speeches were marked by loose rhetoric, coarse language and unsubstantiated statements.
- An entire community was called “termites” in India, and illegal immigrants were called “monsters” and “vile animals” who wanted to “rape, pillage, thieve, plunder and kill the people of the United States of America”.
- This should happen in countries that pride themselves on being the oldest and the strongest democracies is a cause for concern.
Challenges to Electoral Credibility
- The Global State of Democracy Report 2024 revealed that the quality of elections was significantly worse than it was five years ago.
- In about 33% countries and between 2020 and 2024, a losing candidate or party rejected the electoral outcome in almost one in five elections.
- Political leaders disputed the credibility of elections or challenged them in court, conveying “legitimate concerns” or resorting to “cynical attempts to erode public faith”.
Way Forward
- Despite this, elections retain their promise. The loss of incumbents is a sign of hope.
- People are willing to stay with the democratic process even if it means choosing one disappointment after another.
- Political parties must prioritize sustained economic growth and development and rebuilding public trust through transparency and accountability.
Conclusion
The 2024 elections reaffirm the enduring appeal of democracy but underscore the need for reform and introspection. If the challenges remain unaddressed, democracies risk losing their legitimacy, potentially paving the way for alternative governance systems waiting in the wings.
Editorial 2 : Culture vs Merit
Context: How the H-1B visa crisis reveals a dissonance between culture and merit in the US
Introduction: The debate on the interplay between culture and merit resurfaces in the context of American politics, sparked by Vivek Ramaswamy’s comment on mediocrity and its cultural roots. This has ignited a broader discussion on how societies define success, merit, and cultural values, especially as they intersect with immigration policies, education systems, and global dynamics.
Vivek Ramaswamy’s Controversial Statement
- Ramaswamy criticized American culture. According to him American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long.
- “A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math Olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers.”
- Reactions and Criticisms
- Cultural Criticism: Some viewed the comment as reductive and dismissive of social and cultural experiences, such as leisure and balance, which are critical to well-being and sustainable success.
- Stereotyping Achievement: Critics argued that Ramaswamy’s focus on STEM prioritization propagates a narrow view of success, ignoring diverse paths to achievement fostered by American families.
Historical Interplay of Culture and Merit
- Shift in Admission Criteria for American College Admissions
- Before 1920, admission to Ivy League colleges was based primarily on academic excellence.
- Rising Jewish enrolments led to changes in admission criteria to include “character,” sports, and extracurriculars, effectively excluding Jewish applicants while favouring White Anglo-Saxon Protestants.
- This demonstrates how definitions of merit are shaped by cultural and societal biases.
Howard Gardner’s Perspective on Cultural Ideals
- Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory highlights how different societies have idealized different qualities over time.
- Ancient Greeks valued rational judgment, physical agility, and virtue.
- Romans celebrated masculine courage.
- Traditional Chinese culture, influenced by Confucius, prized skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and drawing.
- Intelligence as a central value is a relatively modern Western construct.
Culture and Merit in Contemporary Context
- The debate over merit and culture is most evident in the H-1B visa policy, which prioritizes STEM professionals.
- Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric blurred the lines between skilled STEM professionals and the masses seeking refuge.
- Populism Meets Meritocracy
- Trump’s populism capitalized on poor White resentment and anti-elitism while leveraging the expertise of immigrant STEM professionals.
- This strategy creates a paradoxical alliance, supported by disenfranchised groups but driven by high-tech elites.
Way Forward: Culture, Merit, and the Future of Democracy
- The culture-merit debate reflects deeper societal struggles about values, success, and governance.
- Societies must balance cultural richness with meritocratic ideals to foster sustainable growth and inclusivity.
- Leadership must move beyond populism and narrow definitions of success to address systemic inequalities and broaden paths to achievement.
Conclusion: The cultural and meritocratic crossroads will shape not just immigration and education but the future of democracies and their ability to adapt to changing global realities.