If the words, 'Government of the people, by the people, for the people', quoted from one of the speeches of President Abraham Lincoln, is accepted as the most well-defined for the term democracy, Nagas with their time-tested institution, whether or not it is called democracy, are in accord with it both in spirit and letter. From time immemorial, Nagas maintained in their villages a type of self-government which could be called a little republic or a city state.

The village assembly was the supreme institution which was held from time to time. It was the law making body. All the adults were eligible to be members of the assembly. The chief principle of its deliberation on any matter proceeded from the view-point of common welfare. The individual rights were respected but not against or above the community interests. This deep-rooted traditional view served the basis of approach to the problems of possession apart from the individual ownership, were inviolable. Any inroad made into the community rights was regarded as a challenge to the community as a whole.

The type of democracy in vogue in the West is essentially construed to mean party system and the recognition of individual liberties. But in the case of the Nagas, prominent party system as such was not practiced. Nagas in general counted more on consensus of opinion. At best it was democracy but a non-party system with essential individual liberties. Executive body was often headed by the village chief or by the elected president and the executive members were usually elected from the clans comprising the village. Separation of power system was there but somewhat short of the full fashion practiced in the western democracy. Yet corruption cases were very rare. This self-governing system worked excellent and people enjoyed peace and justice. It was mainly because of one prominent feature. The people were conscious of the fact that the ultimate power resided in themselves and the executive council was accountable to them. Our democracy in modern world should not be erection of facade alone - parties, elections and assemblies. It must be a dynamic and a progressive force that works for the realization of the high ideals of life at which a genuine society aims. It is a blessing that above 80% of the Nagas are born democrats.

At present, excepting in the villages, the system of representation is indirect as in any modern democratic countries. The basis of Naga system is the village organization. Every village is an independent unit in the tribe (region) . Regional Hoho deals with the regional affairs. The Tatar Hoho (Parliament) is the highest law-making body although paramount national issues are referred to the National Hoho.

In this connection, the practice of democracy in India is worth studying to get at what it really is. India is hailed as the largest democratic country. Its constitution is regarded as one of the most beautiful written constitutions of democracy. Almost half a century has elapsed now that India practiced democracy. It is widely claimed that the practice of democratic system in India is a success. Superficially the claim seems sound since parliamentary government is at no time interrupted from its inception. But it is closer to objectivity when things are viewed from their practical perspectives and one prefers it. Corruption practiced in high places is beyond dispute and ubiquitous in India. It is past eradication; it is as good as legalized. In the context, elections become bogus and democracy mockery. Money power is brazenly and unabashedly displayed. Even the most popular candidate if not backed by money power often comes a cropper while the ruling party being in control of the state purse, usually comes off victorious. Besides, the state agencies are predisposed towards them. Thus booth capturing, proxy voting, purchase of votes and rigging of ballot boxes are the names of the games. No element of genuineness of democracy is found in the process despite their high claim of achievement. Discrimination is more and more prominent; equality is out of its meaning; untouchability and caste system are all the more pervasive. Rulers everywhere are biased Religious freedom is at peril and dangerous religious crisis are connived at. Minorities are marginalized and are left by and large unprotected. Surely, all across the land, minorities and indigenous are mercilessly uprooted. Their right over the land is usurped, their lands are swarmed by the aliens, their private properties are defrauded, their mineral resources arbitrarily appropriated, their forests cut down are invaded. And more, they are kept subjected to massive assimilation processes which sinisterly aim at eventual liquidation of their legitimate aspirations and entities. What then the Indian democracy in which they have been made to believe, holds for them! Where are the ideals of democracy and secularism they have been taught for years! They are no longer under delusion; they are already shaken to the ground realities. They have nothing but the ever-increasing hardship of domination, suppression, exploitation and discrimination. Indeed, they have sadly realized the fact that their salvation is removed far beyond their reach. The nightmare of helplessness has overtaken them haunting day and night - to what end? Oh, Bharatya democracy, where is they charm! Therefore, if the world has to teach them, teach them the better, for their salvation is no more in the Indian democracy. When will democracy solve the problems which have arisen in the course of its long practice? Will they be solved in its sheer name?

The impact of Indian democracy on the Nagas is unwholesome. It has done immense harm to the polity of the Naga people. It is just imposed on the Naga people through the puppets. The will of the people is never permitted to exercise in the way they should. The high integrity, the pride of the Nagas, is being eroded. Indulgence in the use of large scale money for purchase of votes has corrupted the entire society under the puppet government. Honesty, the characteristic attribute of a Naga and the prerequisite of a decent society, is no more esteemed in public squares. The people and the institution are marred beyond question. Democracy is used profusely for justification of invasion and mal-practices. There is total degeneration in the present society which has greatly affected the people. Even after the solution of the problem, regeneration process will certainly take a long time. Laws may be used but laws alone do not build up society. It is education that is more contributive to the well-being of a society. However, to correct a society from a wrong stage of civilization, revolution of a kind is a must. It is therefore, essential that Nagas have to undergo a revolution to make a clean sweep of the heaps of dirt accumulated from the Indian decadent puppet society. Creation of genuine conditions for establishment of democratic institution of people's will, is essential. And to do the job, a democratic revolutionary force is beyond doubt indispensable. It is because society should no longer be allowed to be polluted or exploited by traitors of whatever shade. In other words, democracy should not be allowed to be traded on by the anti-nationals and anti-peoples. Democracy is only for the people.

The danger of uncritical acceptance of the western-type democracy cannot be ruled out since it is taking unlimited course of freedom. It has posed a challenge to the sanctity of human society. The legalization of perverted sexual practices in the good name of one's liberty should be combated against if our civilization is to be saved for decency. The brazen justification of invasion, occupation, suppression, exploitation in the sheer name of "majority-rule", particularly in the East, has also greatly tarnished the image of democracy. Thus the abuse of democratic principles and values everywhere in the name of democracy itself is now the greatest challenge to the civilization that the future of mankind needs. Where is the solution to the crisis? Is it to be worked out in the integration of the non-party democratic system and the merits of the western-type democracy?