THE RISE OF AUTHORITARIANISM

-SIMRAN SHARMA

The rise in authoritarianism refers to the increasing trend of governments and leaders adopting more centralised control and restricting individual freedoms. This can have significant political, social, and economic implications on a global scale.Authoritarianism is a political system characterized by a strong central authority, limited political freedoms, and often a lack of democratic processes. In authoritarian regimes, power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small group, and citizens have limited say in government decisions. This can result in restrictions on civil liberties, suppression of opposition, and limited freedom of speech. Examples of countries with authoritarian governments include North Korea, China, and Saudi Arabia.

India is a democratic country with a multi-party political system and a constitution that guarantees fundamental rights to its citizens. However, there have been concerns and debates about the potential erosion of democratic norms and increasing centralization of power in recent years under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

̎Critics have raised issues about government actions such as restrictions on freedom of speech, attacks on religious and minority groups, and the use of sedition laws against activists and journalists. Additionally, the use of social media to spread misinformation and the influence of certain media outlets have raised questions about the overall health of India's democratic institutions. ∎

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