Compassionate Coercion as a Policy Model: Reflections on Practical Reconciliation and Mutual Obligation for Indigenous Living Conditions

Abstract

The conceptual model which underpins recent developments in Indigenous living conditions policy defines a need to increase client commitment to its objectives. This study provides an economic examination of similar historical expectations which have been placed on Indigenous social housing clients. It considers Indigenous poverty in an historical context and examines the rationality of increasing the obligations of Indigenous clients who are existing in marginal communities. In light of economic arguments the analysis defines some minimum requirements of social policy models and it recommends that any ‘mutual obligation’ policy model rationally consider the needs of its client population. The discussion concludes that autocratic problem definitions and their imposed solutions are unlikely to recruit the support of clients.