Power and political process: The case of the Ivanpah Airport

This thesis examines power and political processes involved in the decision to construct a second commercial airport for Las Vegas, NV and the southern Nevada region. Using interview data and document analysis I argue that the organizational capacity of the state and its relative autonomy enabled state actors to dominate the airport's development process by defining the need and setting the agenda for the project. Additionally, state officials acquired the land for the project by circumventing established mechanisms for public participation and involvement. The findings support a state-centered approach to understanding who wields power and how in political processes. Ultimately, the case raises issues about the state's efforts to quell conflict by thwarting democratic involvement of citizens in this highly significant land development decision.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Year

2002

Author dc:creator

• Walker, Amy Gayle

Contributors dc:contributor

• Robert Futrell

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/rtds/1407

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:oasis.library.unlv.edu:rtds-2406