Tom Flanagan

A very controversial book, reviewing the history of Canadian public policy towards First Nations peoples, and advocating significant change. Flanagan questions the "orthodox" view that First Nations people are entitled to special legal rights by virtue of their prior residence in North America, questions whether they are part of sovereign nations which should negotiate as equals with the federal government, and questions their right to self-government. His arguments are well presented, but show more have been met with outrage by First Nations leaders and many liberals in Canada. A thought-provoking read, as these issues increasingly urgent in Canadian politics. show less

This is a very interesting book because it brings together the unlikely partnership of Tom Flanagan -- known for his book "First Nations, Second Thoughts" -- and Manny Jules, former chief of the Kamloops band and head of the First Nations Tax Institute. The authors, and the idea of modernizing property rights on Indian reserves, are united across the political spectrum. It's a good idea, and we should forget about debates over left vs right and read this book with an open mind.

Building on show more the work of Hernando De Soto, the authors propose a new land ownership regime that would allow First Nations people to own reserve property individually. Experience has shown that clarity of ownership, the ability to secure mortgages, and a well functioning real estate market are all key factors in promoting economic growth. A clear property regime will do more for economic well being than many of the incentive programs so often promoted by governments.

This book is written in an accessible style, with lots of explanation of the current regime in Canada, its weaknesses, experiences with alternatives, and finally the proposed First Nations Property Ownernship Act. show less

In February, 2013, Tom Flanagan questioned whether the possession of child pornography should automatically lead to a prison sentence. This was done in the context of a lecture at the University of Lethbridge. His remarks were immediately posted on-line, without his knowledge, and out of context. He was portrayed as seeing child pornography as a victimless crime. As a result, he lost several contracts and was publicly demonized by many prominent Canadians. This is his story of that event. show more Being an academic, Mr. Flanagan puts his story in a framework of academic freedom, and of the way technology is changing the media. He also discusses Criminal Code provisions dealing with child pornography.

This is an interesting book, written in an engaging style. It made me think about fundamental issues of free speech and privacy in our digital times. show less

Flanagan's solutions to our national Indian policy may not be for everyone, but what we are doing now is not working. We just had another crisis on a reserve recently in the Abwatiscatt debacle. Flanagan is a political science professor at the University of Calgary who has done mountains of research if his bibliography is any indication.
If you are concerned about the terrible conditions on some of Canada's Indian Reserves and the huge amounts of money that is thrown at the problem without show more much improvement, read this book. He says living a hunter and gathering life style today is no longer feasible and the sooner Indians become part of mainstream Canadian society by getting an education and a job off the reserve the more satisfying their life will be. If a citizen never has to pay taxes or cannot own one's own home, there is no incentive to take care of the home or be concerned about how the community one lives in is run. This is a very readable volume about a major social and political issue in Canada. show less