Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: We examine the dynamics of the terrorism policy disruption for policy subsystems addressing various facets of public risks that comprise the broader homeland security agenda. This leads to insights about the dynamics of policy disruption across subsystems and of the emergence of homeland security as a substantive area for policymaking. The effects of large policy disruptions like the threat of terrorism can play out in a variety of ways among affected subsystems. Key indicators that we examine are the extent of attention to the triggering disruption, resultant volatility in subsystem policymaking, redefinition of subsystem organizing principles, and the make up of subsystem participants. Our analyses of these for eight policy subsystems show shifting attention to terrorism accompanied by increased policymaking volatility, a weak organizing policy glue of homeland security, and powerful organizational counterweights to the massive Department of Homeland Security. These are indicative of subsystems under stress rather than of a transformation of the prior subsystems to embrace the new homeland security agenda. These findings underscore the limits of ideational and structural reforms in bringing about cross-subsystem policy change.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: When Hurricane Katrina hit the Louisiana coast on August 29, policy makers were witnesses to the worst-case scenario that had been discussed for decades. With a battered and broken levee system, inoperable pumping stations, and limited protection from the damaged wetlands, New Orleans became a modern American Atlantis. In the aftermath of the two hurricanes, authors and researchers have provided readers with personal narratives about “why New Orleans matters,” (Piazza, 2005; James, 2006); have discussed the inadequate response of government officials (Daniels, Kunreuther & Kettl, 2006); and have dissected the politics of race (Dyson, 2005). This project, however, is different. It focuses on the role of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as focusing events, and then asks a specific research question: How will these focusing events affect the structure of the policy subsystem which deals with coastal wetland restoration? Are new political players introduced into the policy subsystem? Do existing players change strategies? Are new political relationship established? To analyze this question, I have used content analysis to develop a dataset that extends from 1970 through August 2006. The dataset covers four different venues for political action – congressional hearings, bureaucratic and executive reports, court documents, and media reports.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The paper compares Parsons' concept of culture and its place within the general action system with issues discussed in the contemporary debate on culture in the social sciences (especially in 'cultural sociology'). The latter is contrasted with two basic assumptions of action theory: the clear differentiation and structural independence of subsystems of action (culture, social system, personality, behavioural system) and a concomitant concept of function for the description of their interdependence.
It is argued that it is in accordance with Parsons' theory to discern two types of function: The term autonomous function relates to the fact that culture as such influences the processes and structures of social, personal and behavioural systems. The term heteronomous function describes the 'use' of culture for non cultural purposes. Applied to social systems, Parsons took these two types of functions into account by analyzing the heteronomous use of culture through social forces (taste symbolizing status) and - expressed in terms of modern systems theory - a 're-entry' of culture in social systems by those social forces that are committed to the autonomous logic of cultural systems, the so-called fiduciary subsystem.
Many of the contemporary cultural approaches lack the necessary theoretical complexity. They conflate system levels and adhere to what could be called a 'reductionistic functionalism' in their understanding of culture. Bourdieu's prominent and widely accepted concepts such as cultural capital or his idea of culture as a means for social distinction are examples for an understanding of culture reduced to its heteronomous function for social systems.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: This paper examines why challengers are able to break down policy subsystems in one area but not another through a study of policy change in two areas of environmental policy: timber policy in national forests and grazing policy on public lands.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Is Latin America a distinctive subsystem within the international system? Do Latin American countries behave differently toward other Latin American countries than toward the rest of the world? Although some scholars argue that “mere geographic proximity does not necessarily furnish the best basis of comparison” (Rustow, quoted by Lijphart 1971:688), others sustain the relevance of regional differences. In this paper, I theorize what differences one should expect between the determinants of bilateral intra-Latin American cooperation and the determinants of bilateral cooperation with countries outside the region.

I found that a number of factors that are correlated with intra-Latin American cooperation show no relationship with cooperation beyond the continent: distance from the U.S., affinity with the U.S., and Spanish heritage are positively related with intra-Latin American cooperation, whereas the level of previous cooperation with the U.S. is negatively associated with current intra-Latin American cooperation. These determinants have no significant impact on bilateral cooperation with third countries.