Dr. Aishwariya Pandit Sharma and psephologist Sanjay Kumar discuss the history of psephology, tracing its development from the 1980s to the present, in their YouTube series “Historically Speaking.” In this episode, they delve into the major issues surrounding psephology and examine the fundamental challenges that democracy faces worldwide, particularly in the context of past and upcoming elections.
Psephology, a branch of political science, focuses on the study and statistical analysis of elections and voting patterns. Those who specialize in this field are known as psephologists.
“Historically Speaking” is renowned for its engaging discussions on politics and art, offering a deep dive into the intersections of history, politics, and culture. The channel often features interviews and analytical content, examining how art influences societal perceptions and understanding.
In this particular discussion, several crucial points were addressed, including the origins of psephology, which began gaining traction in the 1980s and became a more consistent practice from the 1995 Lok Sabha elections onward. The conversation also covered the evolution of election prediction methods, such as exit polls, post-poll surveys, and the process of conducting pre-poll surveys.
A significant part of the discussion focused on the impact of psephology, particularly its potential to address fundamental issues within democratic systems. The conversation also touched on the vital role of democracy and the challenges that arise under democratic governance.