Martial Indigeneity:Deconstructing “Decolonization” in International Relations

Constructivists often criticize mainstream International Relations (IR) theories for their colonial approach to the cultures, knowledge, and agency of Indigenous peoples. Despite their intentions, constructivist approaches fail to decolonize IR. The constructivist construction of Indigenous peoples as embodiments of non-violence, cooperation, and empathy and as passive victims of violence should be replaced by a more nuanced approach to the roles of Indigenous people in war and violence–what we define as “martial indigeneity.”