Successful Economic Development and Heterogeneity of Governmental Form on American Indian Reservations

This paper examines the problem-solving capacities of tribal institutions among a number of tribes. Particular attention is paid to two economically successful and developing (non-gaming) reservations: the Flathead of Montana and the Cochiti Pueblo of New Mexico. The former is governed via a well-developed and codified parliamentary democracy, while the latter operates under a centuries-old theocracy. How can such stikingly different governmental systems both be compatible with the economic success of their respective nations?