Macro-Level Climate and Minority Voice: How Indigenous Multiculturalism Relates to Collective Action

Abstract

Inequalities and discrimination against Indigenous minorities are pervasive in post-colonial societies. Collective action is critical for Indigenous minorities to redress these injustices. Integrating research on collective action, macro-level norms and multiculturalism, we argue that macro-level climates characterized by non-Indigenous endorsement of Indigenous multiculturalism policies are likely associated with Indigenous minorities’ collective action. Two multilevel studies in Chile (non-Indigenous majorities N = 1132; Indigenous minorities N = 1160; 26 communities) and New Zealand (NZ) (non-Indigenous majorities N = 12,136; Indigenous minorities N = 3484; 108 communities) reveal that non-Indigenous macro-level (i.e., aggregated) endorsement of resource-based policies was related to increased Indigenous minorities’ reaction to injustices and collective action. Non-Indigenous macro-level endorsement of symbolic policies showed similar (albeit weaker) results in NZ, but not in Chile. Thus, macro-level climates that endorse concrete measures to address power asymmetries are particularly effective at fostering Indigenous minorities’ collective action. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.