American Indians and the trouble with sovereignty : structuring self-determination through federalism

The conceptual limits of tribal sovereignty -- Building the constitutive theory of tribal sovereignty -- Regional dilemmas: the politics of tribal-state relations -- Disabling arbitrary interference -- Political participation: a hallmark of incorporation -- The constitutive theory as a theory of freedom.;"With tribes and individual Indians increasingly participating in American electoral politics, this study examines the ways in which tribes work together with state and local governments to overcome significant governance challenges. Much scholarship on tribal governance continues to rely on a concept of tribal sovereignty that does not allow for or help structure this type of governance activity. The resulting tension which emerges in both theory and practice from American Indian intergovernmental affairs is illuminated here and the limits of existing theory are confronted. Kessler-Mata presents an argument for tribal sovereignty to be normatively understood and pragmatically pursued through efforts aimed at interdependence, not autonomy. By turning toward theories of federalism and freedom in the republican tradition, the author provides an alternative framework for thinking about the goals and aspirations of tribal self-determination." -- Back cover. With Tribes And Individual Indians Increasingly Participating In American Electoral Politics, This Study Examines The Ways In Which Tribes Work Together With State And Local Governments To Overcome Significant Governance Challenges. Much Scholarship On Tribal Governance Continues To Rely On A Concept Of Tribal Sovereignty That Does Not Allow For Or Help Structure This Type Of Governance Activity. The Resulting Tension Which Emerges In Both Theory And Practice From American Indian Intergovernmental Affairs Is Illuminated Here And The Limits Of Existing Theory Are Confronted. Kessler-mata Presents An Argument For Tribal Sovereignty To Be Normatively Understood And Pragmatically Pursued Through Efforts Aimed At Interdependence, Not Autonomy. By Turning Toward Theories Of Federalism And Freedom In The Republican Tradition, The Author Provides An Alternative Framework For Thinking About The Goals And Aspirations Of Tribal Self-determination. -- Back Cover. The Conceptual Limits Of Tribal Sovereignty -- Building The Constitutive Theory Of Tribal Sovereignty -- A Basis For Equal Footing? The Politics Of Tribal-state Relations -- Disabling Arbitrary Interference -- Political Participation: A Hallmark Of Incorporation -- The Constitutive Theory As A Theory Of Freedom. Kouslaa T. Kessler-mata. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. An examination of the concept and practice of contemporary tribal sovereignty which proposes that tribal self-determination might be better pursued within a federal framework. This fascinating study will be a key reference for researchers, graduate and undergraduate students in American political development, American law, and post-colonial studies. Kessler-Mata argues for a constitutive theory of tribal sovereignty based on the interconnected relationships between tribes and non-federal governments