UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones May 2016 An Examination of Sagebrush Rebellion Communications Using Narrative Policy Framework Amber Overholser University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations Part of the History Commons, and the Public Policy Commons Repository Citation Overholser, Amber, "An Examination of Sagebrush Rebellion Communications Using Narrative Policy Framework" (2016). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 2718. http://dx.doi.org/10.34917/9112158 This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. 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AN EXAMINATION OF SAGEBRUSH REBELLION COMMUNICATIONS USING NARRATIVE POLICY FRAMEWORK By Amber Overholser Bachelor of Arts - Integrative and Professional Studies Great Basin College 2004 Master of Science - Administration Central Michigan University 2009 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy – Public Affairs School of Environmental and Public Affairs Greenspun College of Urban Affairs The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 2016 Copyright by Amber Overholser, 2016 All rights reserved Dissertation Approval The Graduate College The University of Nevada, Las Vegas April 5, 2016 This dissertation prepared by Amber Overholser entitled An Examination of Sagebrush Rebellion Communications Using Narrative Policy Framework is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy – Public Affairs School of Environmental and Public Affairs Gene Hall, Ph.D. Kathryn Hausbeck Korgan, Ph.D. Examination Committee Co-Chair Graduate College Interim Dean Anna Lukemeyer, Ph.D. Examination Committee Member Karen Danielsen-Lange, Ph.D. Examination Committee Member Andy Kirk, Ph.D. Graduate College Faculty Representative ii Abstract Despite being rich in resources, a growing population and open spaces, the Old West has often erupted into the “Angry West” (Lamm, R. D., & McCarthy, M. 1982), as individuals, interest groups and political leaders throughout the West have demanded the turnover of select lands within the region for local control, development and/or private sale. One of the most well- known and heated public lands debates took place during the late 1970s and was called the Sagebrush Rebellion. Rebellion leaders gained national attention as they emphasized the need for autonomy, resource development and equality with Eastern states through the turnover of public lands. Utilizing qualitative analysis and the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF), this research is an analysis of 588 formal and informal communications from Sagebrush Rebels and members of the opposition party, characterized as Environmentalists. Methodology consisted of using a grounded theoretical approach to uncover emergent themes and the Narrative Policy Framework for specific narrative elements and strategies. Emerging themes included the appearance of the devil/angel shift, a high use of economic data for justifications for both parties, the use of blame and the identification of policy winners and losers. Keywords: Sagebrush Rebellion, Narrative Policy Framework, Land Transfer Debate iii Acknowledgements I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Gene Hall, for the patient guidance and mentorship he provided to me during the course of my PhD student career. From one city mouse to another, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Dr. Anna Lukemeyer also pushed me to get started and believed in me, and my research, something I will forever remember and sincerely appreciate. I hope to do you justice with my future career. I’d also like to thank the other members of my committee Dr. Karen Danielsen and Dr. Andy Kirk for their guidance, thought-provoking suggestions, and the general collegiality that each of them offered over the course of my research. In a similar vein, I’d like to recognize Dr. Jessica Word for her contributions to my intellectual and professional growth over these past few years. And finally, a few words in recognition of the love and support I have received from my parents and sister in support of my educational goals. Thank you, I love you. iv Dedication In loving memory of my grandmother, Elma Moore and my great aunt, Linda Senter. v Table of Contents Abstract…… ................................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... iv Dedication…. ................................................................................................................................. v Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ................................................................................................................................ ix List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ x List of Definitions ......................................................................................................................... xi Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................................ 3 Purpose Statement ....................................................................................................................... 3 Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................................... 3 Outline of this study .................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2: Literature Review ...................................................................................................... 5 Pre-Revolutionary War to the 20th century .............................................................................. 5 Land policy in the 20th century .............................................................................................. 10 The Environmental Movement.................................................................................................. 13 The Sagebrush Rebellion .......................................................................................................... 15 The end of the Rebellion ....................................................................................................... 20 General Policy Processes .......................................................................................................... 22 Advocacy Coalition Framework ............................................................................................ 24 Stone’s Policy Process ........................................................................................................... 26 Narrative Policy Analysis ...................................................................................................... 28 Narrative Policy Framework ................................................................................................. 30 Recent application of NPF ..................................................................................................... 33 Application of NPF to Public Land Communications ........................................................... 37 Chapter 3: Methods .................................................................................................................... 39 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................................... 39 vi Purpose Statement ..................................................................................................................... 39 Research question ...................................................................................................................... 39 Testable NPF Hypotheses ......................................................................................................... 40 Research process ....................................................................................................................... 41 Data Collection .......................................................................................................................... 42 Instrumentation.......................................................................................................................... 45 Content Analysis & Grounded Theory.....................................................................................