Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Partisan probing and democratic decisionmaking: Rethinking the Nimby syndrome

Journal Article · · Policy Studies Journal

In this paper, the author focuses on Minnesota`s unsuccessful attempt to site a hazardous waste stabilization and containment facility, but argues that this should not be seen as another siting failure due to irrational and self-interested citizens who subverted a well-conceived and essential disposal facility. Through a detailed comparison of citizen and elite claims about the facility, the author shows that many of the sources of disagreement between citizens and siting officials involve value tradeoffs rather than technical issues, and contend that state officials` views on these matters should not take precedence. Through partisan probing, citizens actually contribute to effective policymaking rather than detract from it.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
289454
Journal Information:
Policy Studies Journal, Journal Name: Policy Studies Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 26; ISSN 0190-292X; ISSN PSJOD9
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English