Prof. Salvatore Babones, University of Sydney: Rethinking Indian Democracy
- Initially set out to write on India’s economy, shifted focus to democracy after editorial resistance and recognizing the vital role of Hindu civil society.
- Argues India’s democracy thrives due to civil society networks, not state policies or Hindu faith alone.
Podcast
Overview
In this edition of TBCY (The Brand Called You), host Ashutosh Garg interviews Professor Salvatore Babones about his new book, Dharma Democracy: How India Built the World’s First Third World Democracy. Babones explores the philosophical, cultural, and institutional roots of Indian democracy, offering a fresh perspective for global and Indian audiences alike.
00:01:05- What motivated Babones to write “Dharma Democracy”?
- Initially set out to write on India’s economy, shifted focus to democracy after editorial resistance and recognizing the vital role of Hindu civil society.
- Argues India’s democracy thrives due to civil society networks, not state policies or Hindu faith alone.
00:04:44- How is “Rashtra Dharma” different from Western civic duty?
- Indian democracy centers on collective duty (Rashtra Dharma), not individual rights as in the West.
- The Indian Constitution uniquely includes a charter of duties.
00:06:46- What role did Aurobindo and Gandhi play in Indian democracy?
- Both emphasized duties to society over rights, influencing democratic values with deep philosophical roots.
00:08:50- Why do India’s founding leaders matter in global democracy theory?
- Indian founders wrote comprehensive books on democracy, education, and society—these are under-explored outside India (and even inside it).
00:11:19 & 00:14:58- How does India reconcile pluralism, and how do BJP and Congress differ?
- Actual communal violence has dropped over decades; integration challenges remain, especially for India’s Muslim population.
- BJP’s nationhood is infused with Hindu cultural identity, contrasting Congress’s more secular, though sometimes rhetorical, approach.
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Prof Salvatore Babones: Linkedin
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Profile
- Initially set out to write on India’s economy, shifted focus to democracy after editorial resistance and recognizing the vital role of Hindu civil society.
- Argues India’s democracy thrives due to civil society networks, not state policies or Hindu faith alone.
