| Summary: | Thesis (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2018 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. Chapter 1: Introduction. Chapter 2: History of Military Power in Alaska -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Military Presence from the Purchase of Alaska to World War II Era (1867-1939) -- 2.3 World War II to Pre-Cold War (1940-1949) -- 2.4 The Cold War (1950-1990) -- 2.5 Post-Cold War Era (1991-Current) -- 2.6 Conclusion. Chapter 3: Theory and Methodology -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Realism -- 3.3 Advocacy Coalition Framework -- 3.4 Methodology -- 3.5 Conclusion. Chapter 4: World War II -- 4.1 Introduction -- 4.2 International Politics -- 4.2.1 Realism and International Politics -- 4.2.1.1 A state's interests or a threat to those interests will push a nation into action -- 4.2.1.2 These policies or actions are formed because of competition between states -- 4.2.1.3 Calculation can be used to discover the policies a country will use -- 4.2.1.4 Success of these policies is shown in that a state was both preserved and strengthened -- 4.3 Domestic Politics -- 4.3.1 Advocacy Coalition Framework and Domestic Politics -- 4.3.1.1 The players of the coalition must stay focused and engaged -- 4.3.1.2 The actors in a coalition should come from ...
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