Impacts of (un)civil discourse by organized groups on local governance in sustainable development projects

Anecdotal evidence in the media and from personal conversations suggests that inflammatory rhetoric in the collaborative governance setting is increasing, especially during public meetings about sustainable development projects. Planners, mediators, facilitators, and government officials are facing a shutting down of public deliberation by "new activists" who are engaging in public forums in very emotional and uncompromising ways. This dissertation is a direct examination of actions by new activists. It includes two case studies in Roanoke, Virginia, as well as a broader look at the inflammatory rhetoric and disruptions in local public meetings now occurring across the country.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Forestry

Department dc:contributor.department

Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Cowgill, Kimberly Hodge

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Hull, Robert Bruce IV

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Stephenson, Max O. Jr.
• Munsell, John F.
• Dukes, Ernest F.
• Stern, Marc J.

• sustainable development
• intractable conflicts
• civil discourse
• new activists
• local government
• Tea Party
• Agenda 21
• wind energy
• local planning
• facilitation
• deliberation
• public discourse

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:6431

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/56962