In the aftermath of Chinese oppression in the 1950s, the Dalai Lama established a government-in-exile centered around a democratic model in order to protect Tibetan cultural identity. This innovative approach was not solely motivated by personal inclination, but was also strategically calculated. During formative visits to India, he was impressed by its budding democratic practices and their emphasis on open discourse. Recognizing the risks associated with consolidating power under a single leader, he intentionally decentralized authority by creating an elected Parliament situated in the Indian Himalayas, ultimately retiring from formal political affairs in 2011.
In doing so, he believed he could fortify the exiled Tibetan community against China's attempts to undermine their quest for freedom and independence. In a defining moment during his political retirement, he remarked, “The rule by kings and religious figures is outdated... We have to follow the trend of the free world, which is that of democracy.” As he approaches his 90th birthday, this philosophy of democracy remains pivotal as the exiled community anticipates the implications of his eventual succession, highlighting the delicate balancing act that lies ahead for Tibetan governance and cultural preservation.
