Theorizing the resilience of the Indian Act
2016; Wiley; Volume: 59; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1111/capa.12162
ISSN1754-7121
Autores Tópico(s)Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East
ResumoAbstract The Indian Act, 1876 has exhibited extraordinary resistance to major change – despite inspiring universal antipathy. This puzzle is addressed by applying institutionalist theories designed to explain continuity. Both the rational choice and historical versions of institutionalism offer partial explanations for the resilience of the Indian Act – and both can be used to predict change. Discursive institutionalism completes the theoretical puzzle by drawing attention to legitimacy norms. The Indian Act is an example of a “legitimacy trap” – it imposes limits on participation in the policy discussion, but saps the credibility and political capital of those leaders upon whom it confers standing, inhibiting change.
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