Dissonance in Western Political Thoughts and the Pragmatic Resilience of Indigenous Governance

The ideals of freedom, justice, and equality have long been the cornerstones of Western political theory, particularly within the liberal-democratic tradition. These Enlightenment principles were conceived to foster societies that respect individual rights and promote justice and equality. However, as these ideals have been put into practice, a significant dissonance has emerged between the theoretical constructs and the lived realities they are meant to guide. This dissonance is most apparent in the transformation of concepts such as freedom and justice, which have become detached from their original intent and have been misapplied in ways that often lead to social unrest and division.

The Western concept of freedom, for instance, was initially envisioned as a means to empower individuals. Yet, it has increasingly been invoked to justify actions that result in violence and the suppression of dissenting voices. The 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks highlight the tension between free speech and incitement, where satirical expressions, though defended as free speech, provoked violent reactions. This underscores the complex interplay between the right to express and the potential for inciting violence. Similarly, anti-mask and anti-vaccine protests during the COVID-19 pandemic, framed as defenses of personal freedom, often escalated into violent confrontations that jeopardized public health. These instances illustrate how the ideal of freedom, when taken to extremes, can undermine social order rather than uphold it.

Justice, another central tenet of Western political thought, has similarly devolved into a battleground for competing ideologies, particularly within the context of Woke Politics and radical social justice movements. While these movements are rooted in a desire for equity, they often adopt extreme positions that polarize society, thus eroding the very foundations of justice they seek to establish. The theoretical idealism embedded in Western concepts of justice and freedom, when divorced from the complexities of real-world social dynamics, creates frameworks that are not only inadequate but potentially harmful.

Contrary to the abstract and often rigid ideals of Western political theory, Indic socio-political thought offers a more grounded and holistic approach to governance. Rooted in the principles of Satya (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence), Indic theory prioritizes the lived experiences and moral responsibilities of individuals within a community. This framework is inherently flexible, allowing for a dynamic balance between personal freedom and social responsibility. By emphasizing moral truth and non-violence, Indic socio-political thoughts promote a more harmonious society and enable individuals to lead lives of greater fulfillment and purpose, suggesting a practical method that is more adaptable to the complexities of human life.

Indigenous tribal cultures also provide practical examples of how these holistic principles can be applied effectively to maintain social order. The governance systems of the Naga tribes in Northeast India, for instance, rely on councils of elders who employ restorative justice to resolve disputes and maintain communal harmony. For example, The practice of excommunication within these societies serves as a powerful deterrent against antisocial behavior, emphasizing the importance of collective well-being over individualism. Personal actions like murder, violence, or theft typically provoke severe social condemnation, often resulting in social ostracism or excommunication, as they are viewed as threats to communal harmony and violation of deeply held social values. The Naga system of governance, deeply embedded in cultural traditions, offers a robust mechanism for conflict resolution and social cohesion, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability of indigenous knowledge systems.

The dissonance between Western political ideals and their application highlights the limitations of abstract concepts when they are imposed without consideration of cultural, historical, and social contexts. The pragmatic approaches found in Indic and indigenous thought emphasize the importance of grounding political theory in the lived experiences and moral understandings of communities. These approaches not only address the complexities of human societies more effectively but also foster a more equitable and harmonious social order.

The abstract ideals of Western political theory, while theoretically sound, often fail to account for the nuances of human experience, leading to unintended consequences and social tension. On the other hand, the more pragmatic and contextually grounded frameworks found in Indic socio-political theory and indigenous governance appear to offer superior models for achieving justice, freedom, and social cohesion. As such, these alternative frameworks merit greater attention in contemporary discussions on political theory and governance.