Reclaiming democracy through Indigenous self-determination: what does a ‘functioning country’ mean?

The recognition and advancement of Indigenous rights is often posed as a threat to democracy. In this article, we counter this idea to argue that the expansion of Indigenous rights does not in fact undermine democracy; rather, it offers an opportunity to reclaim democracy by establishing a more inclusive and pluralistic governance and society. We examine what reclaiming democracy and a ‘functioning country’ mean in the context of structural injustice and the ongoing oppression of Indigenous peoples. We propose that strengthening Indigenous rights and expanding political autonomy could serve as a pathway to reclaiming democracy. More specifically, advancing a more just and functioning society requires embracing the twin aspects of Indigenous self-determination: Indigenous participation in broader society and political autonomy over internal affairs. This dual approach challenges the traditional concept of a unitary state with centralized and uniform sovereignty. Instead, it promotes pluralism, wherein multiple sovereignties coexist. Drawing on theories of democracy and structural (in)justice, and using empirical examples from Australia and Sápmi (Scandinavia), we argue for moving from democratic cultural pluralism to democratic political pluralism.