Power from Powerlessness

Abstract

As American Indian tribes seek to overcome centuries of political and social marginalization, they face daunting obstacles. The successes of some tribal casinos have lured many outside observers into thinking that gambling revenue alone can somehow mend the devastation of culture, community, natural resources, and sacred spaces. The reality is quite different. Tribal officials often plan and execute their strategies amidst dilapidated offices, meager budgets, and populations that struggle against the ravages of shockingly low incomes. Yet we find examples of Indian tribes persuading states, localities, and the federal government to pursue policy change that addresses important tribal concerns. How is it that Indian tribes sometimes succeed against very dim odds? To answer this question, this book brings together ideas about the politics of the powerless and about political institutions. The book illustrates how political underdogs can build particular types of external relationships—that is termed in this book institutional niches—to provide small but needed subsidies for cultivating expertise, which then provide unobtrusive foundations for future political victories. Disadvantaged groups do not suddenly begin winning high-profile battles. Instead, the effects are indirect, of low visibility, and far flung throughout the federalist system. In isolation, each new quiet success seems unremarkable; cumulatively, the effects are impressive.