The Purpose of America’s Public Lands

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Honors Theses (PPE)
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public lands
national parks
natural resource management
conservation
Theodore Roosevelt
preservation
commodification
Bears Ears National Monument
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
American Politics
Environmental Policy
Environmental Sciences
Environmental Studies
Philosophy
Public Administration
Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration
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Abstract

What is the purpose of America’s public lands? By first reviewing the rise of different conceptions of public lands over the course of American history, then discussing more modern controversies involving the Bears Ears National Monument and the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, it becomes clear that there are ultimately three possible solutions: commodification, transcendentalism / preservation, or conservationism. Ultimately, taking a philosophical approach by way of Plato’s definition of “the good life,” this thesis concludes that conservationism is the best conception of the purpose of public lands, because it accommodates for both consumptiveand non-consumptive uses. Accordingly, federal land managers are called upon to begin adhering to conservationist practices in regard to America’s public lands.

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Sarah E. Light
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2018-12-13
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