Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to draw a comparison between the Cherokee Nation of the United States and the Aborigines of Australia concerning their economic development. Even though the Cherokee Nation and the Australian Aborigines share similar historical backgrounds with regard to a long lasting mistreatment by their prevailing governments, the Cherokee Nation, in contrast to the Australian Aborigines, has been and continues to experience a more successful economic development. This paper analyzes the reasons underlying this contrast. For that, the historical background of the Australian Aborigines and the Cherokee Nation is examined and compared. Since both of them were mistreated by their prevailing governments, their historical backgrounds are compared and the consequences of the mistreatment are applied to their contemporary economic situations. After that, the contemporary economic situations of the two peoples are compared, whereat the distinction between the Cherokee Nation’s economic success and the Aborigine’s economic failure becomes apparent. Finally, the reasons for the different economic development are investigated and in how far the affected peoples or even their governments, as in the case of the Australian Aborigines, are responsible for this difference. The results will be revealed and discussed.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Fateful history of the Cherokee Nation and the Australian Aborigines
2.1 Cherokee Nation’s mistreatment by the American government
2.1.1 Trail of Tears
2.1.2 Worcester v. Georgia
2.1.3 The first years after removal
2.2 Australian Aborigines’ mistreatment by the Australian government
2.2.1 Land Rights Movement
2.2.2 Stolen Generations
2.2.3 Policy of Assimilation
3. Contemporary aboriginal economic situations
3.1 Cherokee Nation
3.1.1 Successful leader in economic development
3.1.2 Reliable employer for its members
3.1.3 Cherokee Nation Tribal Government
3.2 Australian Aborigines
3.2.1 Low participation in the labor force
3.2.2 Tourism as the main economic source
3.2.3 “Indigenous Economic Development Strategy” as attempt of improvement
4. Cherokee’s economic success and Aborigine’s economic failure distinguishing the two historically stigmatized peoples
4.1 Cherokee Nation’s economic success
4.1.1 Economic success due to adaptation to the “white” society
4.1.2 Economic success due to self-government
4.1.3 Economic success due to economic diversity
4.2 Australian Aborigine’s economic failure
4.2.1 Social factors inhibiting their economic development
4.2.1.1 Poor living conditions and social problems
4.2.1.2 Discrimination
4.2.1.3 Lacking uniform solidarity among the Aboriginal communities
4.2.2 Governmental hindrance of economic development
4.2.2.1 Inaccurate target tracking in aboriginal policies
4.2.2.2 Reconciliation movement as attempt of improvement
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives & Core Themes
This thesis examines the stark contrast in economic development between the Cherokee Nation of the United States and the Australian Aborigines. Despite both groups facing histories of systematic state-sanctioned mistreatment, the research seeks to identify the institutional and strategic factors that allowed the Cherokee to achieve economic success while the Australian Aborigines continue to face systemic economic failure.
- Comparative analysis of historical government mistreatment and its long-term impact on indigenous economic potential.
- Evaluation of the role of self-government, tribal constitutions, and sovereignty in fostering stable economic environments.
- Assessment of economic strategies, including the impact of industrial diversity versus dependence on single economic sectors.
- Investigation into social barriers, such as discrimination, education gaps, and the legacy of forced assimilation policies.
- Examination of government policy effectiveness, comparing successful autonomy models with failed top-down interventions.
Auszug aus dem Buch
4.1.3 Economic success due to economic diversity
Apart from its initiative concerning the adaptation to the “white” society and the successful concept of self-government, one additional cause for the Cherokee Nation’s economic success is its economic diversity. As already indicated in the course of the preceding paragraphs, the Cherokee Nation has a diverse range of tribal owned businesses to offer.
In these two charts, the economic diversity of the Cherokee Nation becomes apparent. In contrast to the Aborigines, whose main sources of income are very limited with the tourism sector and aboriginal painting, the Cherokee Nation has many more economic sectors to make a profit with. By creating the shown variety of different branches of industries, the Cherokee Nation has the possibility to make a profit in several economic sectors. With that, the economy of the Cherokee Nation is not only dependent on one sector, but bases on a diverse economic network. The Cherokee Nation is consequently safeguarded financially and economically in case of one branch of industry is collapsing, since it can rely on the remaining sectors assuring the survival of its economy then.
Hence, the diversity of the Cherokee Nation owned companies provides the Nation against an economic collapse, as there will probably always be at least one branch of industry covering the Nation against its financial ruin. This concept is also advantageous for the employees of the Cherokee Nation companies, since the variety of enterprises also offers a variety of jobs. Consequently, the Cherokee Nation has the opportunity to offer a wide range of jobs to its members providing them a secure existence due to its economic diversity. In addition, this economic diversity is advantageous for the companies as well, since they can learn on the one hand from each other’s mistakes and on the other hand from each other’s success. Thereby, the individual companies get the possibility to optimize their economic progress and with it their financial profit.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the comparative study between the Cherokee Nation and Australian Aborigines, highlighting their similar histories of marginalization and diverging economic outcomes.
2. Fateful history of the Cherokee Nation and the Australian Aborigines: Details the historical mistreatment of both groups, specifically focusing on the Trail of Tears for the Cherokee and the Land Rights and Stolen Generations for the Aborigines.
3. Contemporary aboriginal economic situations: Examines the current economic landscape of both groups, emphasizing the Cherokee's successful business models versus the labor force struggles of the Aborigines.
4. Cherokee’s economic success and Aborigine’s economic failure distinguishing the two historically stigmatized peoples: Provides an analytical breakdown of the causes for the economic divergence, focusing on adaptation, self-government, economic diversity, and systemic social and governmental inhibitors.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, concluding that the Cherokee's internal initiative and institutional support for self-governance were crucial factors in their comparative success.
Keywords
Cherokee Nation, Australian Aborigines, economic development, indigenous self-government, economic diversity, systemic discrimination, historical mistreatment, tribal sovereignty, economic success, poverty, assimilation policy, labor force participation, tribal businesses, state-sanctioned marginalization, economic strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on the contrasting economic development paths of the Cherokee Nation and the Australian Aborigines, analyzing how similar historical injustices resulted in vastly different modern outcomes.
What are the central themes of the work?
The work explores themes of tribal sovereignty, the importance of self-government, the impact of economic diversity, the legacy of forced assimilation, and the role of government policy in either enabling or hindering indigenous prosperity.
What is the primary research question?
The paper asks why the Cherokee Nation successfully built a robust, diverse economy while the Australian Aborigines continue to face systemic economic failure, despite both groups sharing histories of long-term government-enforced marginalization.
Which scientific methods were utilized?
The author uses a comparative historical analysis, examining secondary sources, government policy documents, and historical data to juxtapose the developmental trajectories of the two indigenous groups.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers historical mistreatments (such as the Trail of Tears and the Stolen Generations), current economic environments, the role of tribal government structures, and specific factors like education, discrimination, and economic diversification.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include indigenous economic development, tribal sovereignty, comparative analysis, Cherokee Nation, Australian Aborigines, and policy-driven economic outcomes.
How did the Cherokee Nation's constitution impact their economic trajectory?
The Cherokee Constitution of 1827 created a foundational democratic framework that, even when ignored by the U.S. government, established a legacy of tripartite governance that the Nation later leveraged to secure economic self-sufficiency and stability.
In what way does the author suggest the "Stolen Generations" policy impacted long-term economic stability for Aborigines?
The author argues that the removal of children severed cultural ties and communal solidarity, leading to social problems, drug addiction, and low educational attainment, which in turn inhibited the development of a cohesive economic foundation within Aboriginal communities.
- Quote paper
- Franziska Schüppel (Author), 2010, Aboriginal Economic Development, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/207014
