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
File Size
1556.48 KB
Degree Grantor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Language
English
Permissions
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Repository Citation
Mynster, Tricia, "The punctuated equilibrium model of policy evolution: An explanation for United States federal fire policy change" (2005). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 1890.
http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/v4oi-pcr5
Rights
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