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Australian Project Support, 2016
Originally, Vince set out to examine the effectiveness of deliberative democracy and hoped to apply his findings to US political theory with the aim of improving intercultural communication and the well-being of Native Americans. However, Vince’s research led him to examine the legitimacy of the rule of the Australian government over indigenous people, which he believes can only be obtained through their deliberate consent. Consent is only meaningful, however, when indigenous groups must the option, and the resources, to govern themselves. Vince believes that through improvement of the conditions of Aboriginal communities and large-scale reconciliation and trust-building efforts, Australia can morally legitimize its rule.