Dr E Benrithung Patton, Associate Professor of Political Science at Fazl Ali College (third from left) with the special guest and others during the book launch held on November 13.
Author theorises ‘Pfüchipolitics’ as framework for indigenous governance
Mokokchung, November 13 (MExN): A book titled “Clans, Identity, and Power Politics: Insights from the Lotha-Naga Electoral Numeric,” written by Dr E Benrithung Patton, Associate Professor of Political Science at Fazl Ali College, was launched at the college conference hall, Mokokchung on November 13.
The book was released by special guest Prof Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Professor and former Head of the Political Science Department, Head of the Sociology Department, and Director of the Gauhati University Institute of North East India Studies (GUINEIS), Gauhati University, in the presence of the college fraternity, special guests and well-wishers.
The book is a comprehensive study of the socio-political landscape of the Lotha-Naga, revealing how clan structures shape electoral behaviour, leadership patterns and democratic practice. It theorises Pfüchipolitics (clan politics) as a framework for understanding indigenous governance using electoral data of Wokha district from 1964 to 2023, a press release received here stated.
The book demonstrates that clan institutions are not opposed to democracy but are culturally embedded systems of representation, accountability and participation. Beyond the Lotha-Naga experience, it advances a rethinking of democracy as an adaptive and contextually grounded process in plural societies.
In his welcome address, FAC Principal Dr I Wati Imchen encouraged academicians to pursue academic nourishment, considering this milestone of the college and Dr Patton in particular as a springboard for more research writings. Prof Dutta called the book a great contribution to the discourse of democracy in India, describing it as a work based on empirical grounding with theoretical insights providing statistics of the last six decades of elections in Wokha district.
Prof Moamenla Amer, Professor of Political Science at Nagaland University, delivered the book review, calling it an empirical and ethnographic study and a huge academic contribution, while Sentinaro Longkumer, Editor-in-Chief of 6th Finger Publishers, Kohima, shared the publisher’s note.
The programme was chaired by Imlinungla, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Zoology, FAC, with the book dedication and closing prayer pronounced by Sam Santhosh Kumar A, Academic Dean, Nagaland Bible College, Mokokchung.
Speaking on the occasion, the author called the book “a part of lived experience,” growing up in a time when the election process involved election funding, feasting and distribution of resources. He said the book is intended not only for the younger generation but particularly for the elderly who were actively involved in politics three to four decades ago. He welcomed critical opinions from readers, stating they would add more value to his work and open doors for more meaningful and insightful conversations on the subject.
