Shifting Boundaries: Aboriginal Identity, Pluralist Theory, and the Politics of Self-Government

by Tim Schouls

Overview

Canada is often called a pluralist state, but few commentators view Aboriginal self-government from the perspective of political pluralism. Instead, Aboriginal identity is framed in terms of cultural and national traits, while self-government is taken to represent an Aboriginal desire to protect those traits. Shifting Boundaries challenges this view, arguing that it fosters a woefully incomplete understanding of the politics of self-government. Taking the position that a relational theory of pluralism offers a more accurate interpretation, Tim Schouls contends that self-government is better understood when an “identification” perspective on Aboriginal identity is adopted instead of a “cultural” or “national” one. He shows that self-government is not about preserving cultural and national differences as goods in and of themselves, but rather is about equalizing current imbalances in power to allow Aboriginal peoples to construct their own identities. In focusing on relational pluralism, Shifting Boundaries adds an important perspective to existing theoretical approaches to Aboriginal self-government. It will appeal to academics, students, and policy analysts interested in Aboriginal governance, cultural studies, political theory, nationalism studies, and constitutional theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780774810463
Publisher:	University of British Columbia Press
Publication date:	10/10/2003
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Tim Schouls divides his time between the University of British Columbia and Capilano College, teaching and researching Canadian politics, Aboriginal governance issues, and political theory.

University of Washington Press

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1 Identity Politics and Pluralist Theory

2 Approaches to Aboriginal Identity

3 Aboriginal Culture, Nation, and the Politics of Difference

4 Aboriginal Women, Youth, and the Priority of Individual Choice

5 Aboriginal Boundaries and the Demand for External Equality

6 Aboriginal Identity and the Desire for Internal Equality

Conclusion: Aboriginal Self-Government and the Politics of Pluralism

Notes

Bibliography

Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"'Shifting Boundaries' is a significant contribution regarding a matter of profound public importance. It is destined to deepen scholarly understanding of the normative and political importance of Aboriginal self—government, and advance Canada's capacity to promote intercultural understanding."—Patrick Macklem, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto

Patrick Macklem

'Shifting Boundaries' is a significant contribution regarding a matter of profound public importance. It is destined to deepen scholarly understanding of the normative and political importance of Aboriginal self—government, and advance Canada's capacity to promote intercultural understanding.