Inequality and democracy in India, the US, and beyond

In 2014, Narendra Modi became India’s Prime Minister, marking the beginning of what many experts and international watchgroups identify as a period of democratic erosion in the country. Since then, a number of other democracies around the world have followed India on this path — including, by many measures, the United States. On this episode, Dan Richards talks with two experts on Indian politics and society about Modi’s rise in India: its causes and effects, how it compares to other instances of democratic erosion around the world, and what it can teach us about democracy’s weaknesses and strengths. Guests on this episode: Poulami Roychowdhury is an associate professor of sociology and international and public affairs at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs. Patrick Heller is a professor of sociology and international and public affairs and director of the Watson School’s Saxena Center for Contemporary South Asia. Read Roychowdhury’s and Heller’s recent work exploring democracy and democratic erosion in India.