India, Oct. 17 -- A striking feature of global surveys on democracy is the disconnect between how democracy is viewed in theory and in practice. In its 2023 survey of 24 countries, Pew found that the median share of respondents who considered representative democracy to be a "good system" was 77%, while the median share dissatisfied with the way it was functioning was 59%.

India has bucked this trend. In Pew's 2025 survey, 74% of Indian respondents said they were satisfied with how democracy was working - the second-highest share among the countries surveyed. But this is not how "experts" consulted by organisations like V-Dem and Freedom House see it. Citing concerns about press freedom, the treatment of Opposition figures, and the indep...