Michael Murphy | Articles

03 Mar Self-determination as a Collective Capability: The Case of Indigenous Peoples

Posted at 11:09h in Articles, Publications

The article explores the idea of self-determination as a collective capability that enhances the freedom and well-being of indigenous peoples in colonial settler states. Collective capabilities have not attracted much attention in the literature to date, but the article sets out to demonstrate that the collective capability for self-determination is precisely the sort of freedom Amartya Sen describes as both the primary objective and the principle means of development.

01 Feb Self-Determination and Indigenous Health: Is There a Connection?

Posted at 12:35h in Articles

The article explores the hypothesis that meaningful self-determination in the form of greater individual and communal life control is a contributing factor to improved levels of indigenous physical and mental health, and, conversely, that control and domination by others is a contributing factor to ill-health...

22 Jan Prisons of Culture: Judicial Constructions of Indigenous Rights in Australia Canada and New Zealand

Posted at 10:20h in Articles, Posts, Publications

The article examines the manner in which High Courts in Australia, Canada and New Zealand define indigenous rights in relation to the traditional laws, customs, and practices of pre-contact indigenous societies. One of the great disappointments of this interpretive framework has been its deployment as...