American Indian Politics and the American Political System

by David E. Wilkins

Now in its third edition, American Indian Politics is the most comprehensive study written from a political science perspective that analyzes the structures and functions of indigenous governments (including Alaskan Native communities and Hawaiian Natives) and the distinctive legal and political rights these nations exercise internally, while also examining the fascinating intergovernmental relationship that exists between native nations, the states, and the federal government. The third edition contains a number of important modifications. First, it is now co-authored by Heidi Kiiwetinepinesiik Stark, who brings a spirited new voice to the study. Second, it contains ample discussion of how President ObamaOs election has altered the dynamics of Indian Country politics and law. Third, it contains more discussion of women's issues, several new vignettes, an updated timeline, new photographs, and updated charts, tables, and figures.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

352 pages, Paperback

First published August 23, 2001

Reviews

[Matt Sautman]

Wilkins work reads more like a textbook than as an academic text written for other academics. As a result, American Indian Politics and the American Political System at times reads like a survey of Native American political history. For someone who does not have as much knowledge of this history as they feel that they should, this makes for a useful resource, but the text doesn’t carry the intellectual charge as work that more explicitly engages with postcolonial/decolonial theory.

[Michelle Boyer]

A good overview for those beginning with American Indian politics, the history of federal Indian law, etc. I was given this book back in 2011 when I first began studying American Indians. It serves to spark and interest and briefly begins to explain things to those just entering Federal Indian law--or those that are just curious. I would recommend it for beginners, but eventually you will need to branch out to case specific studies.

[Mills College Library]

323.1197 W684a 2011

[John]

The organization of the chapters is a little weird (both the order of the chapters and sections within them), but otherwise a clear and fairly
comprehensive overview of a complicated topic.