Explore Democracy & its Consequences Regarding “Field Notes on Democracy Listening to Grasshoppers by Arundhati Roy”

Abstract

This paper ventures into an in-depth examination of democracy in India as critiqued in Arundhati Roy's incisive narrative "Field Notes on Democracy: Listening to Grasshoppers," juxtaposing it with global democratic experiences and theoretical discourses. Roy's work, renowned for its passionate and articulate dissection of the Indian democratic process, exposes the underbelly of what is often celebrated as the world's largest democracy. Through her narratives, she elucidates the crumbling edifices of egalitarian ideals, the weaponization of religion and ethnopolitical identities, and the consequential ruptures in the fabric of Indian society. This study probes the inherent contradictions and complexities of Indian democracy, revealing how the volatile amalgamation of neoliberal market forces and rising religious nationalism pose pressing challenges to democratic integrity. In dynamically integrating Roy's perspectives with the existing theories of democracy as proposed by scholars like Amartya Sen and Fareed Zakaria, the paper delves into the critical distinction between the procedural aspects of democracy and its deeper ethos. It highlights the alarming trends of political hegemony, institutional decay, media manipulation, and the suppression of dissent, thereby questioning the efficacy and sustainability of democratic governance as observed by Roy. Furthermore, by contextualizing Roy's insights within a broader global framework, this paper reflects on the universality of the democratic condition, echoing concerns of majoritarian tyranny and the plight of marginalized communities. Drawing parallels across borders, it seeks to understand the broader implications of Indian democratic practices for the global struggle towards genuine democratic fulfilment. The outcome of this scholarly inquiry is a nuanced portrait of a democracy besieged by internal strife and external pressures, grappling with the moral implications of governance in a pluralistic society. This paper captures the paradoxical realities faced by modern democracies, striving to unravel the potent blend of hope and despair that characterize the continuing evolution of democratic societies.