Green sagebrush: The American West, political culture, and environmental politics

This work examines the possibility of a uniquely Western American political culture and whether or not this culture shapes the region's environmental politics, what the results have been, and what the prospects for the future might be. Part I of the study attempts to uncover the cultural roots of Western environmental conflict, Part II analyzes the Western state's response to environmental protection and Western environmental public opinion, and Part III provides two case studies (Utah wilderness and Southwest forests) that help illustrate the study's primary findings.; Part I of the dissertation begins with an in-depth examination of the political culture and subculture concepts and is followed by a discussion of a Western American political culture. There are five components of this culture that invariably affect environmental politics in the region: (1) the frontier ethos; (2) the federal presence; (3) the West seen as "plundered province"; (4) the Western economy, and (5) Western demographics.; Part II of the study is an empirical examination of Western environmental politics. The twelve Western states, divided between the Far and Intermountain West, are ranked using a number of selective but inclusive indicators including Green Index and State of the States' environmental rankings, state spending on environmental and natural resource programs, and interest group ratings. The Intermountain West ranks low with regards to the policies and initiatives that go towards protecting the environment. Possible explanations for this response are then discussed. Following this chapter is a comprehensive review of Western environmental public opinion. For the first time, an exhaustive collection of environmental opinion in the West is analyzed, finding that environmental support in the West is strong, positive, and pervasive. The study concludes with a discussion of this "great divide"--the environmental differences between Western political leadership and the Western populace.; Part III of Green Sagebrush provides two case studies that help more fully develop Parts I and II of the study. Within the debate over Utah wilderness and Southwest old-growth are a number of cultural contours showing how the debate transcends questions of acreage, trees, and owls. The two cases illustrate how environmental politics in the region is about more than just the environment, but also about the meaning and significance of the West--why culture matters.