A book entitled ‘Clans, Identity, and Power Politics: Insights from the Lotha-Naga Electoral Numeric’ written by Dr E Benrithung Patton, Associate Professor of Political Science, FAC was launched at Fazl Ali
College, Mokokchung on November 13 at the college conference hall. The book was released by the special guest, Prof Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Professor & Former Head in the Political Science Department, Head in the Sociology Department, and Director, 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 ‘Clans, Identity, and Power Politics: Insights from the Lotha-Naga Electoral Numeric’ is a comprehensive study of the socio-political landscape of the Lotha-Naga, revealing how clan structures shape electoral behavior, leadership patterns, and democratic practice. It theorizes pfŰchipolitics (clan politics) as a framework for understanding indigenous governance using electoral data of Wokha district (1964-2023). The book demonstrates that clan institutions are not opposed to democracy but culturally embedded systems of representation, accountability and participation. Beyond the Lotha-Naga Experience, the book advances a rethinking of democracy as an adaptive and contextually grounded process in plural societies.
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Principal Dr I Wati Imchen on his welcome address encouraged the academicians for the pursuit of academic nourishment considering this milestone of the college and Dr. Patton in particular as the springboard for more research writings. Prof. Dutta on the occasion called the book a great contribution to the discourse of democracy in India, a work based on empirical grounding with theoretical insights providing statistics of the last six decades of election in Wokha District. Prof. Moamenla Amer, Professor of Political Science, Nagaland University delivered the book review calling it an empirical and ethnographic study which is a huge academic contribution, while Sentinaro Longkumer, Editor in Chief, 6th Finger Publishers, Kohima shared the publisher’s note. The programme was chaired by Imlinungla, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Zoology, FAC, with the book dedication and closing prayer pronounced by Sam Santhosh Kumar A, Academic Dean, Nagaland Bible College, Mokokchung.
Dr E Benrithung Patton called the book ‘a part of lived experience’ growing up in a time when election process involved election funding, feasting and distribution of resources. He added that 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 back. He welcomed critical opinions of the readers which he states will add more value to his work as it will open doors for more meaningful and insightful conversations on the subject.
