Encircling the commons: Neotribal capitalism in New Zealand since 2000

Abstract

This paper uses a neotribal capitalism approach to theorize the corporate Maori tribes' economic and political strategies in New Zealand. I trace the current convergence between neoliberalism and the corporate tribe to the alliances and networks established in the inclusive bicultural stage of the 1970s. These alliances were later institutionalized in the exclusive bicultural stage through brokerage processes which, in the brokerage function itself, developed a political relationship between the corporate tribe and the government and established the brokers as self-interest class agents. The consequence of brokerage politics has been the consolidation of a system for the transfer of economic resources from public to tribal ownership and for the devolution of state services into tribal control. This has implications for New Zealand's liberal democracy.

Mauss, Interestedness, and Disinterestedness: Hawaiian and Maori Fisheries

“…Given the disparity in wealth within Maōri society a number of commentators argue that Treaty settlements are themselves facilitating a gradual transformation of tribal hierarchies into class distinctions (see Rata 2011;Van Meijl 2013). Yet, this is not the full picture.…”

Neotraditional authority contested: the corporatization of tradition and the quest for democracy in the Topnaar Traditional Authority, Namibia

“…Since the turn of the century, the literature not only on neotraditional-cum-corporate ventures but also on the interdependence of tradition, capital and the state has proliferated (see, for example, Capps 2016; Comaroff and Comaroff 2009; 2018; Cook 2005; 2011; 2018; Cook and Hardin 2013; Rata 2011). This perspective goes beyond analysing the relationship between the state and neotraditional leadership to explore global forces such as the rise of neoliberal capitalism.…”

The Waxing and Waning of the Politics of Authenticity: The Situation of Urban‐Based Māori through the Lens of Municipal Politics

“…Recent years have seen these iwi (tribal) leaders becoming successful and more vocal, for example through initiatives such as the Iwi Chairs Forum created in 2005, which has “become a body with which government ministers discuss nationally significant economic and political matters” (Bargh , 447; see also Katene ; Rata , ). As Bargh mentions, “Māori organisations constantly engage politically and legally with the Crown”: they “provide input at a parliamentary level to select committees and seek the opinion of the Waitangi Tribunal and the courts in attempts to have ownership and resources use rights clarified” (2013, 448; see also Belgrave ).…”

“…For example, there is evidence that the vast majority of beneficiaries of Treaty of Waitangi settlements are not actually benefitting from them—so there has been little improvement to socioeconomic conditions for the majority of Māori individuals. This situation has also contributed to increasing class distinctions within Māori society (Lashley ; Poata‐Smith ; Rata ; Van Meijl ) . What is needed at this point is a detailed ethnography among “ordinary” urban‐based Māori—one that seeks to understand the impacts of the changes outlined in this paper on their lives, self‐representations, and ways of being Māori.…”