Indian Parliament's Winter Session Productivity Plummets

The recent Winter Session of India's Parliament recorded a historic low productivity of only 52%, attributed to disruptions and a lack of quorum, with significant contention between the government and the opposition over issues like the Adani controversy and comments about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Globally, a political shift in 2024 saw voters in 70 countries express discontent by rejecting incumbent governments amidst economic turmoil, leading to the rise of far-right movements and anti-incumbent sentiments. In the U.S., concerns about the quality of democracy are heightened by the prevalence of social media algorithms that create echo chambers, undermining informed public discourse. Meanwhile, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Georgian tycoon Bidzina Ivanishvili for his party's alleged undermining of democracy following controversial elections in Georgia, which the EU deemed unfree and unfair. In Spalding, UK, proposed local government reforms threaten to centralize power, raising fears of diminished local democracy and calls for a town council. The interconnectedness of these issues underscores a global struggle for democratic integrity and responsiveness to citizens' needs.