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VOL. 8, ISSUE 2 (2026)
The dynamics of dynasty: Family politics in Indian democracy
Authors
Dr. Shivamurthy Naik N
Abstract
Family politics, also known as dynastic
politics, stands as a fundamental, albeit complex, element within the intricate
tapestry of Indian democracy. Despite a professed commitment to egalitarian
principles, the persistence of hereditary power infuses a sense of
contradiction into the very fabric of the political landscape. A striking
statistic reveals that an overwhelming 29% of Indian Members of Parliament owe
their positions, directly or indirectly, to familial ties with established
political figures, a trend observable across both national and regional tiers
of governance. This phenomenon of familial succession in political spheres not
only endures but thrives due to a confluence of factors, including the frailty
of internal party democratic processes, the sway of financial resources, and
the intricate web of patronage that underpins contemporary Indian politics.
Such entrenched nepotism poses a formidable challenge to the principles of
meritocracy, at once foregrounding the uneasy coexistence of hereditary
privilege and democratic ideals within the Indian political landscape. It
operates as a binding force within political parties, often serving as a potent
cohesive 'glue' that unites factions, notwithstanding the ethical dilemmas it
engenders. This interplay of family-based power dynamics and democratic
rhetoric thus underscores a broader ambivalence within Indian politics, where
tradition and modernity, consolidation and fragmentation, converge in a
perpetual dance of influence and discord.
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Pages:45-47
How to cite this article:
Dr. Shivamurthy Naik N "The dynamics of dynasty: Family politics in Indian democracy". International Journal of Sociology and Political Science, Vol 8, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 45-47
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