Ashok Acharya from the Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, on Thursday spoke about the relationship between liberalism and democracy. “The 20th century saw democracy take root as a regime, while liberalism functioned as a guiding ideology with an emphasis on liberty, self-governance, and diversity,” he said.
Speaking at an international conference on ‘Democracy’s Undoing: South Asia and its Polities’ hosted by SRM University-A.P. to explore the pressing issues and challenges faced by various democracies in South Asia, Prof. Acharya elaborated on the significance of ‘dissensus’ in a liberal democratic society.
The conference, organised under the aegis of the Department of Political Science, Easwari School of Liberal Arts, explored the concept of democracy and its relevance to the current political landscape in South Asia. Academicians, research scholars, and social scientists from renowned institutions across the world participated in the two-day international conference.
Kurt Annen, a professor of Economics at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, offered a global perspective on democracies. One of the central themes of the lecture was the challenge of establishing a clear and causal relationship between democracy and economic growth. He also highlighted the importance of understanding the mechanisms through which democracies may foster economic development.
Dean Easwari School of Liberal Arts at SRM University-A.P., Vishnupad, deliberated on various aspects of democracy and shared the vision behind Easwari School of Liberal Arts. Idris Hassan Bhat, assistant professor of the Department of Political Science and the convener of the conference, spoke about the resilience of democratic ideals in South Asian nations.
Published – March 20, 2025 11:10 pm IST
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