Date of Award
2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Alcock, Frank
Keywords
Water Law, Water Allowcation, Pacific Northwest, Institutional Analysis and Deveopment Framework
Area of Concentration
Political Science
Abstract
The allocation of water among multiple users has generated several water conflicts or "water wars" in the Western United States. The failure to cooperate over water resources has led many to criticize the property rights system in place under the doctrine of prior appropriation. However, such arguments neglect to consider federal recognition of tribal and environmental rights as a legitimization of stakeholders. The recognition of resource rights to multiple actors can facilitate a cooperative arrangement over water allocation. Through applying the Institutional Analysis and Development framework to four Pacific Northwest watersheds, this thesis argues that the primacy of hydropower interests negatively affects actors' ability to enact cooperative arrangements.
Recommended Citation
Dexter, Michael J., "Where Whiskey is for Drinking and Water is for Cooperating Over. An application of the Institutional Analysis and Development Framework to the struggle over Pacific Northwest water allocation." (2011). Theses & ETDs. 4381.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/4381