Ensuring Democratic Integrity: The Role Of The Judiciary
- IJLLR Journal
- Jun 18
- 2 min read
Manpreet Rathor, BBA LLB, Army Law College, Pune
Akanksha Singh, BBA LLB, Army Law College, Pune
ABSTRACT
Democratic societies worldwide face mounting pressures that threaten their foundational principles, making the judiciary’s role more critical than ever before. This research paper examines how courts function as democracy’s essential guardians, protecting constitutional values and maintaining the delicate balance of power that keeps democratic systems healthy. The study explores the judiciary’s evolution from colonial-era institutions to independent pillars of modern democracy, focusing particularly on how judicial review powers enable courts to check legislative and executive overreach. Through analysis of landmark cases and contemporary challenges, this paper demonstrates how judges actively preserve individual rights, ensure fair elections, and uphold the rule of law even when political winds shift dramatically. Key findings reveal that judicial independence serves as democracy’s insurance policy, providing citizens with recourse when other branches fail to protect constitutional guarantees. The research examines both successful interventions and ongoing limitations, including access barriers and institutional constraints that sometimes prevent courts from fully realizing their democratic potential. Drawing from comparative analysis across different democratic systems, this paper identifies best practices for strengthening judicial institutions while addressing criticisms about judicial activism and accountability. The study reveals that effective judicial protection of democracy requires not just legal authority but also public trust, institutional resources, and clear boundaries between judicial and political functions. The research concludes that while democracy faces new challenges in the digital age, the judiciary’s core mission remains unchanged: safeguarding constitutional principles, protecting minority rights, and ensuring that power serves the people rather than concentrating in the hands of the few. However, realizing this potential requires ongoing reforms to improve access, efficiency, and public confidence in judicial institutions. This paper contributes to ongoing debates about democratic resilience by highlighting practical ways courts can strengthen democratic governance while respecting the legitimate roles of other government branches. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, legal scholars, and citizens concerned about preserving democratic integrity in an increasingly complex political landscape.
