Political Principles and Indian Sovereignty

Political Principles and Indian Sovereigntyexamines the connection between the well being of Indian people, the sovereignty of Indian Nations and the democratic principles on which the Unted States was founded. Problems faced by Native Americans in health, education and general welfare are linked to the loss of sovereignty caused by the U.S. Government. Government documents and seldom cited presidential papers provide a revealing look at the history of Federal Indian law and policy, tracing the erosion of Indian sovereignty. Using a unique blend of history, case law and philosophical analysis, the author shows that the denial of Indian sovereignty was the result of settler greed and government expediency, completely at odds with the fundamental priciples of American Democracy. Recent U.S. recognition of the "inherent and retained" sovereignty of Indian Nations is exposed as a means of paying lip-service to democratic princple, while ignoring past abuses and while ignoring past abuses andperpetuating their injustice. Ultimately, this book argues that the United States must give up its power over American Indian Nations or remain forever untrue to the genius and humanity of its own fundamental principles.