Political violence and bottom-up autocratization in India

This study investigates the impact of vigilante movements on democratic erosion. The paper argues that these movements can contribute to democratic erosion through mutual legitimization and institutionalization. Violence both legitimizes and is legitimized by its association with political elites and their illiberal agendas, especially when framed as a defence of an allegedly oppressed majority community. The theory is tested on the paradigmatic case of the Hindu-nationalist movement in India (2014–2024), demonstrating how political violence and hate spin catalyzes the normalization of exclusion and bolsters support for illiberal policies. By influencing political elites and societies' perceptions, the government and state apparatus in turn legitimize targeting religious minorities.