Berenschot, Ward Bagchi, Sarthak and Vignesh Karthik K. R.

The oligarchisation of India’s democracy: Evidence from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha - Economic & Political Weekly - 59(48), Nov 30, 2024: p.96-102


The intensifying fusion of political and economic power in India is discussed. Employing data on the wealth and background of politicians, it is shown that over the last 20 years, India’s politicians have not only become much wealthier but also more commonly have a business background. The term “oligarchisation” is proposed for this trend and employing fieldwork on the 2024 assembly elections conducted in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh simultaneously with the parliamentary elections, two key drivers of this process are identified. – Reproduced

https://www.epw.in/journal/2024/48/general-elections-2024/oligarchisation-indias-democracy.html