Substantive Democracy

Substantive democracy is a form of democracy in which the outcome of elections is representative of the people. In other words, substantive democracy is a form of democracy that functions in the interest of the governed. Although a country may allow all citizens of age to vote, this characteristic does not necessarily qualify it as a substantive democracy.

In a substantive democracy, the general population plays a real role in carrying out its political affairs, i.e., the state is not merely set up as a democracy but it functions as one as well. This type of democracy can also be referred to as a functional democracy. There is no good example of an objectively substantive democracy. The opposite of a substantive democracy is a formal democracy, which is where the relevant forms of democracy exist but are not actually managed democratically. The former Soviet Union can be characterized in as such, since its constitution was essentially democratic but in actuality the state was managed by a bureaucratic elite.

Substantive Democracy in India: Indian Constitution was written with the benevolent and ambitious task of removing both social and political inequalities; in fact removing social inequalities precisely by giving political equalities (one man one vote principle). It did to some extent achieve this. It shifted the basis of right from inherited status to numerical preponderance. Greater participation by the marginal groups has guaranteed that the institutional space is now opened for them and parties comprising Dalit leaders have come to power. Local governance through the Panchayati Raj institutions has ensured a space for the marginal through reservations in posts. Substantive democracy continues to elude the country as development promises are seldom met. India’s rank on the Global Hunger Index is dismal. Public health is in shambles - children in Gorakhpur died because oxygen ran out. Poor are being systematically excluded from MNREGA wages and pensions because of Aadhaar. Farmers are marching relentlessly with no redressal and are being met with violent crackdowns in some states. While elements of substantive democracy still leave a lot to be desired, it is worrying that even procedural aspects of democracy are weakening. 

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