Normative Structure of Science & Socio-cultural Roots of Indian Democracy

Abstract

This review article explores the socio-cultural foundations of democracy in India, proposing that the potency and continuity of its democratic system derive fundamentally from the civilizational values and the deep-rooted socio-cultural traditions of the country rather than being merely a political import due to the colonial legacy and modernization. The Indian democratic ethos appears to have evolved organically within the pluralistic, dialogical, and inclusive frameworks of its civilization. The article discusses that the democratic resilience of India owes much to the embedded socio-cultural ethos that emphasizes tolerance, criticism, dialogue, debate, moral order, and collective welfare. To substantiate this argument, the authors employ Robert K. Merton’s normative structure of science, which articulates the principles of universalism, communism, disinterestedness, and organized skepticism. By drawing an analogy between the democratic process and the scientific spirit, the paper suggests that democracy, like science, flourishes where these normative conditions prevail. In the Indian context, elements of these values are discernible in the philosophical traditions of dharma, sahitya, and samvada (ethical conduct, shared knowledge, and dialogical engagement), which historically encouraged critical inquiry and participatory deliberation. This study reappraises and concludes that democracy in India (Bharat) is not merely a political institution, but a cultural and moral practice deeply rooted in the nation’s social and civilizational fabric. This cultural embeddedness serves as a lasting source of optimism for the continued vitality and sustainability of Indian democracy.