First Advisor

Joshua Eastin

Date of Award

5-24-2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science and University Honors

Department

Political Science

Language

English

Subjects

United States. Department of Defense -- Management -- Political aspects, Climatic changes -- Government policy -- United States, Climatic changes -- Political aspects -- United States

DOI

10.15760/honors.432

Abstract

Given the increasing political polarization within the United States, this paper attempts to explore how political discourse impacts the United States Department of Defense's (DOD) engagement with climate change. Analyzing personal communications, relevant literature, and DOD actions and documents, the results of this research found that the DOD engages with climate change across numerous fronts with different motivational forces. Of the various motivational forces, this research focuses on: (1) installation and operational concerns, (2) the Department's relationships with political administrations, (3) the Department's relationship with the Legislative branch, and (4) financial incentives.

Upon examining these four motivational forces, the findings of this preliminary research suggest that the DOD is aware of the partisan polarization surrounding climate change, and manages its engagement with climate change in a way that maximizes its freedom of action and funding. This has been specifically evident in the Department's use of climate change language. The DOD's approach to climate change falls in accordance with its mission and structure, and has allowed the DOD to avoid political partisanship. However, this strategy does not exempt the Department from the politicization of climate change. Moreover, given the phenomenon of climate change, the DOD will not be able to properly prepare for the future attention climate change warrants by continuing to avoid the political sensitivity surrounding this issue.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Comments

An undergraduate honors thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in University Honors and Political Science and International Development.

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/20437

Available for download on Saturday, May 24, 2025

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