Cumulative causation and the Productivity Commission's framework for overcoming indigenous disadvantage

Abstract

This paper examines recent evidence on Indigenous social exclusion and attempts to relate it to the Productivity Commission’s Framework for Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage. It is not sufficient to measure the various aspects of disadvantage as we need to understand the pathways into disadvantage and the evolution of more sustainable positive outcomes. Veblen and Myrdal’s models of cumulative causation may be a useful basis for building an understanding of Indigenous disadvantage. This paper presents cross-sectional evidence in order to suggest that the three priority outcome areas identified by the Productivity Commission are sequentially linked rather than being functionally independent.