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Oct 10 2026
For a stronger India, reverse this institutional capture
Overview
The Morning Context opinion article “For a Stronger India, Reverse This Institutional Capture” argues that the growing influence of the ruling political establishment over state institutions has become normalised as routine governance. Author Sushant Singh contends that reversing this perceived institutional capture is necessary to protect constitutional democracy and restore institutional independence in India.
Drawing on ideas presented by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt in How Democracies Die, the article discusses how democratic systems may weaken gradually through actions taken by elected leaders rather than through an official Emergency or military coup. The claims and interpretations presented are those of the author.
Details
Article: For a Stronger India, Reverse This Institutional Capture
Section: Command Post
Publication: The Morning Context
Article type: Opinion and political commentary
Author: Sushant Singh
Central argument: The author argues that political control over state institutions has increasingly been treated as an ordinary part of governance.
Institutional capture: The article uses this term to describe a situation in which public institutions are allegedly influenced or controlled in ways that weaken their independence.
Democratic concern: According to the author, institutional capture represents a significant challenge to India’s constitutional democratic system.
Gradual democratic erosion: The article explains that democracies may weaken through a succession of incremental and barely visible changes rather than through a sudden overthrow of the constitutional order.
Literary reference: The discussion draws on Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt’s book How Democracies Die.
Role of elected leaders: The cited framework warns that democratically elected presidents or prime ministers may undermine the processes and institutions that enabled them to attain power.
Routine governance: The author argues that institutional weakening can occur under the appearance of normal administrative and political activity.
Absence of formal Emergency: The article distinguishes the situation it describes from an officially declared Emergency or a military coup.
Constitutional democracy: The commentary emphasises the importance of constitutional limits, institutional autonomy and accountability within a democratic system.
Proposed response: The author calls for the reversal of perceived institutional capture as an essential step towards strengthening Indian democracy.
Institutional independence: The article suggests that public institutions should be able to perform their constitutional responsibilities without inappropriate political interference.
Accountability: The commentary highlights the importance of maintaining checks and balances capable of holding elected governments and public officials accountable.
Author’s current role: Sushant Singh is a lecturer at Yale University.
Previous positions: He previously served as a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi and as deputy editor of The Indian Express.
Military background: Singh served in the Indian Army for approximately two decades.
Journalism recognition: He received Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2017 and 2018.
Published works: He is the author of Mission Overseas and co-author of Note by Note: The India Story.
Editorial context: The article expresses the author’s analysis and perspective and should be understood as commentary rather than a neutral institutional assessment.
Further information: Readers may access the complete article through the link provided in the original Morning Context communication.
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