ABSTRACT
This article presents a comparative analysis of the political systems of India and the United Kingdom—two parliamentary democracies with historical and constitutional connections. Despite India’s colonial inheritance from Britain, the two nations have evolved distinct democratic practices. The analysis focuses on constitutional frameworks, executive-legislative dynamics, federal vs. unitary structures, electoral systems, judicial independence, and political cultures. The article highlights both the similarities and the unique adaptations each country has made in shaping democratic governance.
Keywords: India, United Kingdom, Parliamentary System, Unitary State, Federalism, Constitutional Monarchy, Electoral Politics
1. INTRODUCTION
India and the United Kingdom (UK) share a colonial and constitutional heritage, yet their political systems reflect divergent paths of democratic development. India adopted a written Constitution in 1950, inspired in part by the Westminster model but tailored to its socio-cultural diversity and federal structure. The UK, in contrast, operates under an unwritten constitution, deeply rooted in conventions and historical statutes.
This study uses comparative political analysis to examine institutional designs, power distribution, citizen engagement, and governance mechanisms in both nations. It aims to identify how each system has adapted parliamentary democracy to its context.