Post-UNDRIP makes a difference : UNDRIP promotes indigenous rights in liberal democracies.

Abstract

This comparative case study examines the use of Constructivist International Relations theory on indigenous issues in liberal democracies. The thesis focuses on the impact of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) on the United States, Canada, and Australia. ... My study demonstrates that Indigenous people have used this Constructivist view of the world to influence their own states through international organizations and have based advocacy strategies. The thesis demonstrates that post-UNDRIP domestic legislation in the US, Canada, and Australia are in line with the indigenous rights in the Declaration. In some instances, the legislation has directly referenced the UNDRIP. The proposed legislation has provided evidence of strengthened of indigenous advocacy and indigenous rights in the post-UNDRIP era. These findings are significant because it adds to the research of both indigenous theory and Constructivist theory. It demonstrates the importance of Constructivist theory on nation-state's domestic affairs as well as understanding state relations with the international organization. ... My study highlights that Constructivist theory not only helps us reexamine international relations theories, but also provides insight into indigenous strategies on a large scale. ..."