Date of Award
5-17-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Since WWII, Alaska has witnessed dramatic influxes and reductions in military personnel and funding. This thesis explores the drivers of these events. It applies two theories to analyze the trends: realist theory from international relations and the advocacy coalition framework from public policy. The thesis uses a case study framework and process-tracing to analyze three different time periods in Alaska's history: 1) World War II (1940-1945), 2) the early Cold War era (1950-1958), and 3) the immediate post-Cold War era (1993-1999). This thesis argues that the level of international threat accounts for the United States' decisions to increase or decrease its military forces, while the strength of advocacy coalitions comprised of a diverse array of actors determines the amount of military personnel and funding transferred to Alaska.
Recommended Citation
Burkhart, Peter K., "International and domestic drivers of military shifts in Alaska" (2018). Arctic and Northern Studies. 55.
https://ualaska.researchcommons.org/uaf_grad_arctic_northern/55
Handle
http://hdl.handle.net/11122/8711