India

INDIA IS THE WORLD's largest democracy. It is also a multiparty democracy, with a parliamentary system modeled after the Parliament of England. In addition, it also has a federal system of government with the states organized around ethnic and linguistic lines. Because of the enormous linguistic, religious, and cultural diversity in India, the major political parties tend to be coalitions. Some are ideological parties; others are personally led factions. Only a few political parties are large enough to be national in scope. Others are found only at the state level. And some others are minor factions. Overall India's election process is dynamic and the parties play a significant leadership role.