Award Date

1-1-2005

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Science

First Committee Member

David Hassenzahl

Number of Pages

58

Abstract

The organizational structure of federal land management agencies is designed to function in a static state for long periods of time. Policies in these bureaucracies tend to follow a punctuated equilibrium pattern of evolution. These policies are accompanied by reinforcing institutional arrangements and networks that resist changes. In order for change to occur, a catalyst is needed to cause a drastic change in policy. Following this change, new institutional arrangements will be created to support the new policy. A catalyst is needed at the lower levels of the bureaucracy to follow a policy through to implementation. Using the National Park Service and Yosemite National Park as case studies it is demonstrated that the punctuated equilibrium model is an accurate description of policy evolution.

Keywords

Change; Equilibrium; Evolution; Explanation; Federal; Fire; Model; Policy; Punctuated; United States

Controlled Subject

Political science; Environmental sciences; Public administration

File Format

pdf

File Size

1556.48 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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