Amazon.com description: Product Description: As the original peoples of North America, tribal nations stand in a distinctive historical, political, and legal position in relation to state and national government. American Indian Politics is the first comprehensive study to analyze the structures and functions of American Indian governments (including Alaska Native communities) and the unique legal and political rights these nations exercise internally. David E. Wilkins expertly situates the 562 federally-recognized Native nations (and non-recognized groups) in historical context, while paying heed to the unique territorial and cultural rights that make this such a volatile field of study. Wilkins demonstrates that American Indian politics is a mixture of tribal government interacting with other polities, multiple layers of citizenship, indigenous activism and interest group activity, economic development, and media. New To This Edition The second edition incorporates fresh census data, thorough discussion of the critical electoral changes in the 2000 and 2004 national elections, and contemporary data on President Bush's first and second terms. The new edition also explores the effects of recent changes in U.S. Senate and House personnel and state legislation on Indian rights and the state-tribal relationship.