Economic dependency

Definition

Economic dependency refers to a condition in which a community or nation relies heavily on external sources for its economic well-being, often resulting from historical patterns of exploitation and marginalization. In the context of Native communities, this term highlights how colonial practices, resource extraction, and policy decisions have created situations where these communities lack control over their own economic resources and are reliant on outside entities for jobs, income, and services. This dependency has long-term impacts, often perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting self-determination.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Economic dependency in Native communities has roots in historical treaties that were often broken or ignored, leading to loss of land and resources.
2. Many Native communities depend on federal funding and external aid for essential services like education, health care, and infrastructure.
3. This dependency can lead to a lack of job opportunities within the communities, forcing members to seek work outside their homelands.
4. Economic dependency contributes to social issues such as poverty, substance abuse, and mental health challenges within Native populations.
5. Efforts toward economic self-sufficiency, such as developing tribal enterprises and sustainable practices, are essential for reducing economic dependency.

Review Questions

• How does economic dependency affect the social structure within Native communities?
  • Economic dependency significantly affects the social structure within Native communities by creating reliance on external sources for jobs and services. This reliance can weaken community ties as individuals may need to migrate away for work or depend on outside aid for survival. The result is often a breakdown in traditional social roles and responsibilities, leading to increased social issues such as poverty and substance abuse.
• Discuss the historical factors that contributed to economic dependency among Native communities and their long-term impacts.
  • Historical factors contributing to economic dependency among Native communities include colonialism, forced removal from ancestral lands, and broken treaties. These actions led to loss of resources and autonomy over economic development. Long-term impacts include ongoing reliance on federal assistance, limited economic opportunities, and perpetuated cycles of poverty that hinder self-determination and community growth.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of current strategies aimed at reducing economic dependency in Native communities and suggest improvements.
  • Current strategies aimed at reducing economic dependency include promoting tribal enterprises, increasing access to education, and implementing sustainable practices. While these efforts show promise by empowering communities to control their resources better, improvements could include enhanced partnerships with non-profits for funding, fostering stronger connections with local economies, and advocating for policy changes that prioritize Indigenous rights in resource management. A holistic approach that includes cultural revitalization alongside economic initiatives could also be beneficial.

Related terms

Colonialism:

The practice of acquiring political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Self-determination: The right of a people or community to make their own choices regarding their political status and economic development.

Resource extraction: The process of removing natural resources from the environment, often leading to environmental degradation and economic challenges for local communities.